Cricket

Dhruv Jurel's impressive performance in the unofficial Test between India 'A' and Australia 'A' has sparked calls for his inclusion in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).Jurel, who arrived in Australia early with KL Rahul for match practice, showcased his batting prowess with scores of 80 and 68. His ability to handle the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers, which can be challenging for Indian batsmen, has caught the attention of former Australia captain Tim Paine.Paine, who coached Australia 'A' in the match, was particularly impressed with Jurel's 80 off 186 balls in the first innings. "I don't know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat – even though he's a wicket-keeper, from what I've seen on this tour and from India's batting in the last couple of months, I'd be staggered if he doesn't play," Paine said.Jurel's current role in the Indian squad is as a backup wicketkeeper for Rishabh Pant. However, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the Perth Test and KL Rahul struggling for form, head coach Gautam Gambhir may consider using Jurel as a specialist batsman."He's 23 and he's played three Test matches, but he looked a class above all of his teammates, to be fair, and handled the pace and bounce really well, which can be unusual for an Indian player," Paine added.Jurel's Test debut came against England earlier this year, where he impressed with a 46-run knock in Rajkot. He came close to scoring a century in the next match at Ranchi, where he made 90. In his three-Test career, Jurel has aggregated 190 runs in four innings at an average of 63.33.With his strong showing in Melbourne, Jurel has made a strong case for his inclusion in the Indian Test team for the BGT. His ability to bat in different positions and handle the Australian conditions could prove invaluable for India.

Team India is poised to embark on a historic mission to Australia, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph on foreign soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian squad is determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure a berth in the World Test Championship final.Despite a disappointing 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, former India pacer and chief selector Chetan Sharma exudes confidence in the team's ability to excel in Australia. "I am 100 percent sure India will beat Australia in Australia," Sharma declared. "We have always enjoyed when India tour Australia, South Africa, or England. The best part is that we now enter as series-winning contenders whenever we tour overseas."Sharma believes the pressure will be on Australia, not India, as the hosts have been defeated twice in their own backyard by the visiting team. "They must be worried, not us," he said. "Pressure is on Australia, not India. The pressure is on Pat Cummins, not Rohit Sharma."While star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been struggling for form, Sharma remains optimistic about their contributions. "Players like Rohit and Virat are never out of form," he said. "They are never in a lean or bad patch. These words shouldn't be used for them. We are thankful to them. They are still doing it."Sharma also praised young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who have been thriving under the guidance of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit. "Shubman and Yashasvi have impressed me a lot," he said. "They have learned a lot from Virat and Rohit while sharing the field and dressing room with them."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will commence with the opening Test in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The series will then move to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test will be held in Sydney, starting on January 3.

India vs Australia Test Series: News Corp Australia Unveils Multilingual CoverageThe highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between India and Australia is set to ignite the cricketing world, and News Corp Australia is pulling out all the stops to provide comprehensive coverage for fans across the globe. The media giant has announced an extensive eight-page wrap in English, Hindi, and Punjabi in both print and digital editions to capture the essence of the five-Test series.The Indian team has already arrived in Australia, eager to defend their BGT title. The tour kicks off with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.News Corp's special edition will be distributed across its various publications in Australia, ensuring that fans have access to in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights. The coverage will commence on November 12, with a "16-page ultimate launch guide" scheduled for November 17, featuring additional content in Hindi and Punjabi.India's recent dominance in Australia has made this series even more intriguing. The visitors have emerged victorious in their last two Test tours Down Under, leaving the Aussies without a BGT triumph since 2014. However, India's recent form has been a cause for concern, with a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand and key batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggling for runs.The announcement of multilingual coverage has generated excitement among cricket enthusiasts, particularly those from the Indian diaspora in Australia. The inclusion of Hindi and Punjabi content aims to cater to the growing number of Indian cricket fans who prefer to consume content in their native languages.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, is approaching the twilight of his illustrious career. While his recent form has raised concerns, many believe he still has much to offer. However, Australian media reports suggest that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) could mark Kohli's farewell from the Australian shores.Kohli's prolific batting has waned in recent times. In 2024, he has scored only 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging a meager 20.33. In Test cricket, he has managed just 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force. He has a proven track record of success in Australia, having scored India's lone century in the 2012 series. The Herald Sun report acknowledges Kohli's impact on the Australia-India rivalry, stating that he "defined" it for the past decade.However, the report also suggests that Kohli's time in Australia may be coming to an end. It highlights the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed opener who is seen as Kohli's potential successor. Jaiswal has impressed in recent months, establishing himself as one of India's most exciting young batters.While Jaiswal's potential is undeniable, it would be premature to write off Kohli just yet. India, the current holders of the BGT, have won their last two Test series in Australia. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to retain the trophy.The BGT begins with the Perth Test on November 22. It will be a fascinating series, with Kohli's future in Australia hanging in the balance.

Nathan McSweeney, the Australian opener poised to make his Test debut against India in the upcoming Perth Test, is eagerly preparing for the formidable challenge posed by the Indian pace attack. McSweeney, who has been in impressive form domestically, was recently included in the 13-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.Despite typically batting at number four, McSweeney has been tasked with opening alongside Usman Khawaja against India. To prepare for this crucial role, he has been diligently studying videos of India's quicks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."I'll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself," McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN. "I've looked at a few clips of what their bowling attack stacks up like. I'm just trying to visualize how I'm going to go about it."McSweeney acknowledges the unique challenges of facing a new bowler, particularly one with an unorthodox action like Bumrah. "Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," he said. "I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well."Despite the daunting task ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities and eager to seize the opportunity. "In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have," he said. "I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that."McSweeney's inclusion in the Test squad is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in Australia's domestic competition and earned his place in the side after solid performances during the 'A' matches against India.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, and McSweeney is determined to make a positive impact on his debut. "There's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," he said.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, while preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, has expressed his admiration for Sanju Samson's recent performances in South Africa. Despite not being directly involved in the South African tour, Gambhir acknowledged Samson's talent and the support he has received."It's not about me," Gambhir said. "It's his ability. He's been given the right number and backing, and he's worked hard. What he's doing for Indian cricket is just the start."Samson's century in the first T20I against South Africa made him the first Indian to score consecutive tons in the shortest format. Gambhir believes this is a positive sign for Indian cricket."Some of the young players are really coming through, which is always healthy," he said.Gambhir is now focused on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will be crucial for India's World Test Championship final hopes. He believes the team's experience will be invaluable."We have got a lot of experienced players who have been to Australia a lot many times," he said. "Their experience will come in handy for the young players as well."Gambhir emphasized the importance of being prepared for the first Test."These 10 days are going to be very crucial," he said. "Come the 22nd morning, we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one."

Pakistan's head coach Jason Gillespie has criticized Cricket Australia and broadcasters for prioritizing the upcoming Test series against India over the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan. Pakistan's historic 2-1 victory in the ODI series, their first in Australia since 2002, received minimal publicity, according to Gillespie."To be honest, I pretty much saw no promotion of our one-day series by Cricket Australia, which was a bit of a surprise," Gillespie told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's pretty obvious that they're prioritizing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against India because I saw no promotion of this series."The Indian team will aim to secure an unprecedented third consecutive Test series victory in Australia. They previously achieved consecutive series wins in 2018-19 under Virat Kohli's captaincy and in 2020-21 under Ajinkya Rahane.The Test series begins with the first match in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night encounter at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The competition then moves to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The concluding Test match will be played in Sydney, starting on January 3.Gillespie's criticism highlights the disparity in attention given to different cricket series based on the perceived importance of the participating teams. While the India-Australia Test series is highly anticipated, the Pakistan-Australia ODI series received less fanfare. This disparity can impact the morale of players and the overall perception of the sport.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has shed light on the selection of uncapped players Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir praised Rana's bowling prowess, stating that he has bowled extensively and is ready to face the Aussies with fresh legs. He also highlighted Reddy's potential, expressing confidence that he can contribute significantly if given the opportunity.Gambhir hinted at a shift in the team's composition, suggesting that certain players may not be part of the future plans. However, he did not explicitly mention Shardul Thakur, who was surprisingly omitted from the squad."It's about moving forward, and we believe this is the best set of players to represent the country," Gambhir said.Rana and Reddy have earned their selections based on impressive performances in the domestic circuit. Their inclusion comes after India's disappointing home series loss to New Zealand, which has made their path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final more challenging.To qualify for the WTC final, India must win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0. The series opener will be played in Perth, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide, a match at The Gabba in Brisbane, the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the final Test in Sydney.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Jasprit Bumrah (vc)* Ravichandran Ashwin* Mohammad Shami* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Shubman Gill* Ravindra Jadeja* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Dhruv Jurel (wk)* Sarfaraz Khan* Virat Kohli* Prasidh Krishna* Rishabh Pant (wk)* KL Rahul* Harshit Rana* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Mohammed Siraj* Washington SundarAustralia's squad for the first Test:* Pat Cummins (c)* Scott Boland* Alex Carey* Josh Hazlewood* Travis Head* Josh Inglis* Usman Khawaja* Marnus Labuschagne* Nathan Lyon* Mitch Marsh* Nathan McSweeney* Steve Smith* Mitchell Starc

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has exuded confidence in his team's ability to conquer any type of wicket prepared by Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Gambhir asserted that the Indian Test squad possesses the versatility to counter any surface.India will embark on a five-match series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Gambhir, who departed for Australia on Monday with the second batch of Indian players, emphasized that the team is well-equipped to handle any pitch conditions."We don't control the wickets, we are ready for any kind of wicket. It's their wish whatever they want to give. We are ready for any kind of condition and our bases are covered," Gambhir declared. "If we play cricket to our best potential, then we can beat them."India will arrive in Australia 10 days prior to the first Test, providing ample time for acclimatization and practice on the bouncy Perth pitches. The team has canceled its practice match against India A to maximize net time and will train at the WACA. The match will be held at the Optus Stadium."I think 10 days, if we can get good, proper preparation before the start of the series, I think we're going to be in really good shape. We've got a lot of experienced players who've been to Australia a lot many times. So their experience will come in handy for the young players as well," Gambhir said."I'm sure these 10 days are going to be very crucial. Come the 22nd morning, I think we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one," the head coach added.Despite a disappointing 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand and the recent struggles of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir remains optimistic about India's chances. He believes that the team's experience and versatility will be key to success.