Cricket

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed his support for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to miss the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to the birth of his second child.Clarke, who is known for his unwavering commitment to cricket, believes that family should always come first. He recalled the birth of his daughter as the most special moment of his life, emphasizing that he would have prioritized his family over any cricket match."To be honest, the greatest day of my life over any cricket event, over any Test match victory, over captaining Australia. The greatest day of my life was the day when my daughter was born, and being there for that moment was the most special moment of my life," Clarke said.Clarke acknowledged Rohit's passion for playing for India, but he believes that the Indian skipper's decision to be present for the birth of his child is a testament to his priorities."I have no doubt that in an ideal world, it would have been great if his second child came a week early or two weeks early so he could play every Test match. Rohit loves playing for India as much as I love playing for Australia. He is a great player and a wonderful captain. He will be missed. But every single person must respect that decision of any man," Clarke noted.Clarke's comments echo the sentiments of many cricket fans and experts who have come out in support of Rohit's decision. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, however, had suggested that Rohit should feature in the opening Test, sparking a debate on social media.Despite the absence of Rohit, Clarke believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a fiercely contested series. He praised the quality of both teams and predicted that the matches would be close and exciting."I think it's going to be a great series. India is a very good team, and Australia is a very good team. I think it's going to be a very close series. I think it's going to be a very exciting series," Clarke said.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has outlined his team's strategy to wear down India's bowlers by playing the "long game." Labuschagne, who was the highest run-getter in the 2020-21 BGT series, believes that by batting for extended periods, Australia can put pressure on the Indian bowlers and force them to bowl longer spells.This approach is similar to the one employed by Indian veteran Cheteshwar Pujara in the past two tours of Australia. Pujara's stubbornness and solid defense provided a wall-like protection for other batters, allowing them to attack the bowlers who would eventually tire.Labuschagne believes that Australia's batting lineup can exploit the relative inexperience of India's pace attack, which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who will be supported by newer stars like Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy."We understand that getting them back for their second and third spells, putting them under pressure and letting them come to us and us putting pressure back on them through overs in the field and time in the game, especially over a five-Test series, that is really important," said Labuschagne.Labuschagne has also hinted that he could be a valuable addition to Australia's bowling attack, having delivered medium pace during the Sheffield Shield season and practice sessions. With 13 Test wickets and 84 first-class scalps, he could provide some relief to the workload of skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by the day-night Test in Adelaide from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, while 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 highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is just around the corner, and excitement is building for the clash between India and Australia. Despite some injury concerns, former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey believes India will put up a strong fight in the five-match series.Hussey acknowledges that India has a history of success in Australia, having won the last two BGTs Down Under. However, he believes the Australian players are eager to prove themselves and level the playing field. He emphasizes the high quality of cricket expected in the series, which has become one of the most sought-after events in the cricket calendar.Hussey highlights the importance of the series for Australian players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, who may see it as their last opportunity to beat India in Australia. He also praises the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach, noting his competitive spirit and ability to instill a winning mentality in his teams.Despite some unsettledness in the Indian camp, Hussey believes the team has the depth and talent to overcome adversity. He dismisses the notion that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are finished, emphasizing their legendary status and ability to perform under pressure.The series is also set to feature a battle between two modern-day great off-spinners, R Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Hussey expects both bowlers to play crucial roles for their respective teams, with Lyon's ability to bowl both offensively and defensively being particularly valuable.Hussey acknowledges that India's recent struggles against spin could be a factor, but he believes Lyon will need to bowl well in Australian conditions to be effective. He also emphasizes the importance of a group mentality for both teams, with India needing to rely on more than just Jasprit Bumrah to succeed.Hussey believes that the IPL has helped foster friendships between Indian and Australian players, but he stresses that once the game starts, it's all about national pride and competition. He advises KL Rahul to trust his game and focus on his preparation, as he is one of the best players in the world when he's at his best.Overall, Hussey is optimistic about the upcoming series, predicting high-quality cricket and a fascinating battle between two great teams.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's unwavering dedication to the sport was evident during India's practice session at Perth's Optus Stadium. Despite heavy rain halting the session, Kohli continued to bat in the nets, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence.Kohli's determination was praised by social media users, who hailed his "unreal dedication." Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to regain form during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, citing his past successes on Australian pitches.Gavaskar highlighted Kohli's impressive performances in Perth and Adelaide, where he scored a century in 2018-19. He believes that Kohli's familiarity with these grounds will boost his confidence.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The series will then move to Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney for the remaining three Tests.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes 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, and Washington Sundar.Kohli's dedication and Gavaskar's confidence suggest that the Indian batter is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His determination to regain form and his past successes on Australian pitches make him a key player to watch in the highly anticipated series.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to commence, igniting a fierce rivalry that has captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide. India, who have recently dominated Australia, face a formidable challenge this time around.After a disappointing 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home, India's vulnerability is evident. The spotlight will be on star players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to deliver against a formidable Australian side.In a lighthearted moment before the battle, the Indian team engaged in a fun Q&A session. Kohli, asked about his best knock in Australia, recalled his century at Perth in the 2018-19 series. "It was the toughest pitch I played on in Test cricket," Kohli said. "It was great to get a hundred on that tour."Former cricketer and analyst Sanjay Manjrekar analyzed how Australian bowlers might approach Kohli's batting. He believes Kohli is aware of the tactics that will be employed against him."They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mindset is," Manjrekar said. "Australia might also try to cramp him for room and attack his body since he likes to get forward."Manjrekar further elaborated that if Kohli focuses on balls outside the off stump, Australian bowlers, particularly Josh Hazlewood, might target a line on the middle stump, similar to the one Vernon Philander used effectively."Australia will test various strategies, and Virat Kohli is fully aware of that," Manjrekar added.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to unfold, the stage is set for an intense battle between two cricketing giants. India will aim to maintain their dominance, while Australia will seek redemption and reclaim their supremacy.

India's Test XI for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth is shaping up to prioritize pace and bounce, given the conditions at Optus Stadium. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unavailable, KL Rahul is likely to return to the top of the order, while Devdutt Padikkal is expected at No. 3.Dhruv Jurel is a strong contender for the No. 6 spot, having impressed with his fielding and batting in the nets. Sarfaraz Khan, another contender, had a less impressive day.Nitish Kumar Reddy is being considered as a bowling all-rounder, capable of extending India's batting depth to No. 8. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to take the spin bowling spot, given Australia's left-handed batting lineup.The pace attack is still uncertain, with Harshit Rana gaining momentum after his performance in match simulations. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep are also in contention, while Prasidh Krishna has shown promise in the nets.India's XI is likely to be inexperienced, with Jurel, Reddy, Rana, Prasidh, and Padikkal having played only seven Tests combined. However, the team is banking on their potential to adapt to the challenging conditions in Perth.

Virat Kohli's Mind Games with Nathan Lyon: A Battle of Wits and Federer ForehandsSledging and psychological warfare have long been synonymous with Australian cricket. However, there are certain players who the Aussies tend to leave alone, knowing that any attempt to unsettle them only fuels their determination. Virat Kohli is one such player, and his history against Australia is a testament to his ability to rise above the noise and perform at his best.Ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon recalled a memorable encounter with Kohli during the 2014 Test at the Adelaide Oval. Lyon revealed that Kohli, while batting with ease, would repeatedly approach the non-striker's end and whisper "Federer.""I was like, 'Oh, okay, what's this?'" Lyon said. "He kept doing it, every time he'd come down there, he was like 'Federer, Federer.' And I said, 'Mate, I don't know if I'm wrong, but are we playing the wrong sport if you think you're Roger Federer?' And he goes, 'Nah, nah, I've got a beautiful forehand.'"Kohli's playful banter was a testament to his confidence and ability to stay focused amidst the pressure of a Test match. Despite Lyon's attempts to unsettle him, Kohli went on to score centuries in both innings, leading India to a narrow defeat by just 48 runs.Kohli's dominance in red-ball cricket in Australia is well-documented. He has scored six hundreds from 13 Tests, averaging 54.08. However, his form has dipped in recent times, with an average of just 22.72 in his six Test matches this season.After a disappointing 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, Kohli enters his seventh tour to Australia with a point to prove. He has scored just one fifty this year and his last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championships final rest heavily on their performance in Australia. They need to win four Tests to secure a direct berth in the final, which is scheduled to be held at Lord's in June 2025.Kohli's ability to rise above the sledging and perform at his best will be crucial to India's chances. His experience and determination will be tested once again as he faces the challenge of the Australian conditions and the relentless mind games of the home team.

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has issued a stern warning to the Australian cricket team ahead of their opening Test against India in Perth on Friday. Watson highlighted the intensity and competitive spirit that Virat Kohli brings to the field, cautioning Australia to be prepared for his trademark aggression.The Aussies are set to face India in a highly-anticipated five-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, and Kohli's form and leadership are likely to play a decisive role. Watson emphasized Australia's need to maintain composure against Kohli's fierce approach.Kohli's performance in Test cricket has been declining over recent years, with his struggles becoming increasingly apparent since 2020. The former Indian captain has been working diligently to recover his exceptional batting form in the traditional format of the game.In 34 Test matches spanning the past four years, he has accumulated 1,838 runs at an average of 31.68, with only two centuries and nine half-centuries to his name. With his prolonged period of modest performances continuing, there is mounting pressure on Kohli to deliver significant contributions across five Tests."The one thing that I know about Virat is because he's the fire burning so brightly and deeply inside of him, the intensity that he brings to every ball that he is engaging in a game has been superhuman. But there have been moments in his career when that fire started to go out because it is so hard to maintain that intensity," Watson said in the Willow Talk Podcast.Despite experiencing a period of reduced performance, Kohli's challenging phase has continued. However, Watson cautioned the Australian side, suggesting they should wish for the Indian stalwart to enter the series without his characteristic vigour. He emphasised that if Kohli regains his typical intensity, spectators worldwide would witness him at his finest form."That is where the Australian team needs to leave him alone, and hope that he doesn't bring that intensity. If he brings that, then that just shuts everything out, and that's when he will be at his very best. But if stuff is going on and that intensity is not there, then you see that not the best version of Virat," he added.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has urged the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc to exploit Virat Kohli's recent form slump and target his front pad with straighter impact balls. Healy believes that this strategy could put Kohli's forward defense to the test, as he has only averaged 22.72 in his six Test matches this season.Healy also suggests that the bowlers should consider body smashes if the first matchup fails, as Kohli is known for using hook and pull strokes to counter the bowling. Healy recommends bowling at the back armpit and having a short leg position right next to him on the leg side.Kohli has historically dominated red-ball cricket in Australia, scoring six hundreds from 13 Test matches and averaging 54.08. However, Healy believes that the Australian pace trio has the potential to unsettle Kohli and put him under pressure.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India begins in Perth on November 22. Healy's advice to the Australian bowlers could prove crucial in determining the outcome of the series.