Cricket

India's path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final has become more challenging after consecutive defeats against New Zealand. However, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar remains confident, emphasizing that the team is not dwelling on past results.Despite sitting atop the WTC standings with a 62.82-point percentage, India faces a daunting task. To reach the final in London next year, they must win their remaining six Tests, including five against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Nayar acknowledged the difficulties ahead but stressed the importance of staying present and taking it one game at a time. "When you put on the Indian jersey, every game is critical," he said. "We have not been narrow-minded about the WTC. Our focus is on the game at Wankhede."If India can secure a victory in the third Test against New Zealand, they will be just three wins away from the final. However, the pathway is not straightforward.India's chances of reaching the final hinge on their ability to maintain their dominance. If they can win four of their remaining six games, they will have a 64.04% point percentage, assuming they avoid any penalties for slow over rates. This would guarantee their place in the final, regardless of other results.Nayar emphasized the team's determination to overcome the challenges ahead. "We need to stay in the present and take it day by day," he said. "If we can do that, we will be one step closer to where this team wants to be."

The upcoming India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked much anticipation, with the squad announcement revealing both expected and surprising inclusions. While the Rohit Sharma-led side boasts debutants Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the absence of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has raised eyebrows.Pujara, known for his resilience and ability to anchor the Indian batting line-up, has been a key figure in India's recent Test series victories against Australia. However, he was overlooked for the upcoming tour, prompting speculation about his future in the national team.In a recent social media post, Pujara shared a video of his training session, accompanied by the caption "Sore today, strong tomorrow." The post has garnered significant attention, with fans expressing their support and urging the selectors to reconsider their decision.Former India batsman Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial role in India's back-to-back series wins in Australia, believes Pujara's absence will be a significant loss. "Pujara will be a big miss. He was the backbone of the batting line-up in the last two series for Team India," Vihari said.Vihari highlighted Pujara's ability to absorb pressure, bat for extended periods, and provide stability to the batting order. He questioned who would fill that role in the current Indian team, which features a more attacking batting line-up.Despite the absence of Pujara, India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes a mix of experienced and promising players. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Other notable inclusions include Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravichandran Ashwin.The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both India and Australia aiming to assert their dominance in Test cricket. India will be looking to extend their winning streak against Australia, while the visitors will be determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Mohammed Shami's Absence a Major Blow for India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami has cast a shadow over the Indian team's prospects. Shami, who has been sidelined since November due to an ankle injury, is considered one of the most potent fast bowlers in the world.Former Australia captain Tim Paine has expressed his belief that Shami's absence will be a significant setback for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," Paine said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will feature five Tests played across Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams boasting world-class players.India's squad for the series includes captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, and a host of talented batsmen and bowlers. However, the absence of Shami leaves a significant void in the bowling attack.Shami's ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup. His absence will put additional pressure on Bumrah, who is already India's leading fast bowler.India will need to find a way to compensate for Shami's absence if they want to challenge Australia in their own backyard. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna will be expected to step up and fill the void.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious Test series in cricket, and the absence of Shami is sure to add an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming contest.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Legendary Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Kohli's inability to control his emotions while batting is a major factor behind his poor form.Hogg's comments come after Kohli's dismal performance in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. In five Tests so far in 2024, Kohli has scored only 245 runs at an average of 27.22, with just one fifty and a top score of 70.However, Hogg pointed out that Kohli has shown greater consistency in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25), amassing 556 runs in eight Tests at an average of 42.76. This includes a century and three fifties across 14 innings, with a best score of 121.Hogg believes that Kohli's struggles in the New Zealand series stem from his tendency to overanalyze his performance. "He was more aggressive, the way he strolled out there, the way that he was trying to attack the bowling. He just looked like he was overanalyzing," Hogg said.Hogg also criticized Kohli's shot selection, particularly in the second Test against New Zealand. "He looked as if he wasn't in control of his emotions and it showed in the shot that he played when he got out," Hogg said.The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played under lights at the Adelaide Oval from December 6-10. Hogg believes that Kohli needs to switch on from ball one and focus on controlling his emotions if he wants to succeed in Australia."Virat Kohli has to switch on from ball one," Hogg said. "He has to be a little bit tighter. He has to be in control of his emotions."

India A's upcoming four-day match against Australia A will serve as a crucial test for three players vying for spots in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna have all been included in the India A squad and will be eager to impress the selectors. Easwaran, in particular, is seen as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma if the Indian captain misses any matches due to personal reasons.Easwaran has a wealth of experience in First-Class cricket, having played 99 matches and scored over 7,600 runs. He has also been part of the Indian squad in the past and has been in impressive form recently, scoring centuries in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, has less impressive First-Class numbers but has been drafted into the squad for his all-round abilities. He is a pace-bowling all-rounder with batting being his stronger suit.Prasidh Krishna is a late addition to the India A squad and will be looking to find some rhythm after returning from injury. He has picked up just seven wickets in his last seven innings across various domestic tournaments.Other players in the India A squad who will be looking to impress include skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini, and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal.The match against Australia A will provide these players with an opportunity to showcase their skills in Australian conditions and stake their claim for a place in the Indian Test squad.

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, has set his sights on conquering the final frontier of his illustrious career: a Test series victory over India. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) set to commence in Perth on November 22, Cummins is determined to fill the void in his impressive CV.Australia has enjoyed a golden era under Cummins' leadership, claiming the Ashes, World Test Championship, and ODI World Cup. However, a Test series win over India has eluded them, with India remaining undefeated in the BGT for the past decade."It's kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off," Cummins said at the launch of his book. "Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home."India's recent Test defeats at home against New Zealand have raised questions about their preparations for the Australia tour. However, Cummins remains wary of their formidable batting lineup."I think any time a team's under pressure, it's not a bad thing if you're playing against them," Cummins said. "But they've been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go."The BGT is also crucial for the World Test Championship, with India and Australia currently occupying the top two positions. A series win would strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final.Cummins is confident in his team's ability to perform well against India. "We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well," he said. "I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is a big year, big season."

David Warner's recent comments about potentially returning to the Australian Test team have sparked a flurry of speculation, but his wife, Candice, has unequivocally stated that "it's not happening."Earlier this month, the 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket world by expressing his willingness to don the baggy green once more, particularly against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Steve Smith likely to drop down to his usual No. 4 position and Cameron Green nursing a back injury, an opening spot has become available.Warner's statement resonated with fans, who saw an opportunity for the veteran batsman to fill the void. However, Candice Warner has now put an end to any such hopes."He's very passionate about playing for Australia, and I think if George Bailey or Andrew McDonald called him up, he would jump at it," she said. "But it's definitely not going to happen."Candice Warner emphasized that her husband's comments were not a reflection of any disrespect towards the current openers or those vying for selection. She explained that if Warner were to consider a comeback, he would have to follow the same path as everyone else, including playing in the Sheffield Shield."If he genuinely didn't think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn't have said that," she added. "But it's not happening. End of discussion."Warner retired from international cricket in July 2023, ending a remarkable career that included 7,363 Test runs and 17 centuries. While his return would have been a welcome sight for Australian fans, it appears that the door is firmly shut on that possibility.

Australia is poised to enter the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) as the frontrunner, according to former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine attributes this to India's recent struggles with form and injuries.Paine, who captained Australia in their previous two BGT losses, believes Australia's stability and home advantage give them an edge. "Australia are going to start pretty strong favorites," he said. "I think India have not been playing pretty well, their batting looks a little brittle."Paine also highlighted the absence of Mohammed Shami as a significant blow for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," he said. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."Reflecting on India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, Paine expressed concern about their batting. "No. They (New Zealand) are not very good. Is that harsh? Unbelievable performance, no doubt about that. But that makes me worry a little about India, totally honest," he said.Paine also acknowledged India's historic 2020-21 series win in Australia, crediting Cheteshwar Pujara as the series hero. "The guy who won them the series was Pujara," he said. "He wore us down, he wore our fast bowlers down."India's selectors have named an 18-member squad for the five-Test series, but Shami's absence has forced them to field an inexperienced pace attack. Bumrah will lead the bowling unit, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.India's first Test against Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, kicking off the much-anticipated series.

The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian cricket team. Despite facing adversity at every turn, the team emerged victorious in a series that will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.The series began with a humiliating defeat in Adelaide, where India was bowled out for a paltry 36 runs. However, the team refused to be disheartened and fought back valiantly. In the second Test in Melbourne, India defied all odds to draw the match, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in Sydney.The third Test in Sydney was a battle of attrition, with both teams refusing to give an inch. Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role in the draw, batting for over four hours with an aching back alongside Hanuma Vihari.As the series reached its climax in Brisbane, Australia captain Tim Paine resorted to sledging in an attempt to unsettle Ashwin. Paine's tactics failed, as Ashwin remained unfazed and India went on to win the series 2-1.Paine has since defended his sledging, claiming that he was simply trying to unsettle Ashwin, who had been "annoying" him by getting his wicket frequently. However, Ashwin has hit back, saying that Paine's sledging was aimed at him personally and that he pulled out of the Brisbane Test due to a genuine back injury.The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be remembered for its thrilling matches, intense rivalry, and the remarkable resilience of the Indian cricket team. It is a series that will inspire generations of cricketers to come.