Cricket

Indian cricket sensation Sarfaraz Khan has been on a remarkable run of form, captivating fans and experts alike. However, concerns have been raised about his fitness, with some suggesting it could jeopardize his place in the playing XI.To address these concerns, Sarfaraz has embarked on a rigorous fitness regimen, guided by the Indian team's strength and conditioning coach. Additionally, Rishabh Pant has recommended a chef to assist Sarfaraz in improving his nutrition."Sarfaraz is working on his fitness with the Indian team strength and conditioning coach, and Rishabh has provided him with a chef who is taking care of his food," revealed Suryakumar Yadav in an interview with Indian Express. "The intent is that by the time he reaches the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his body is in a better shape."Despite his perceived fitness issues, Sarfaraz's batting prowess remains undeniable. "His body type might make him look fat, but if you ask him to bat 450 balls, score double hundred, triple hundred, daddy hundred, he has that skill," Yadav emphasized.Sarfaraz's dedication to his craft is evident in his unwavering practice routine. "I have never seen him skipping practice even on match day," Yadav added. "If there is a game, he will get up at 5 am, bat for one hour near his home, and then join the team bus. After the game, he will go to the nearby ground and bat again."After scoring his maiden century for India against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test, Sarfaraz expressed his elation. "It felt amazing to get my first century for India," he said. "But tomorrow will be tough for them. The pitch is breaking down, the ball is moving, and if we strike early, they could find themselves in a similar situation as we did."Sarfaraz's fitness journey is a testament to his determination to overcome any obstacles that may hinder his cricketing aspirations. With the support of his teammates and a renewed focus on his physical well-being, he aims to silence his critics and cement his place as a vital cog in the Indian cricket team.

Virat Kohli's return to form in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru has ignited hope among Indian cricket fans. After a prolonged slump, Kohli's well-crafted 70-run knock marked a significant milestone in his Test career.Kohli's struggles in Test cricket had become a major concern, with his last fifty coming in 2022. His inability to counter outside-off deliveries from pacers and off-spinners had been a recurring issue. However, against New Zealand, Kohli showcased his vintage form, executing flawless cover drives and displaying impeccable timing.The knock was crucial not only for Kohli's personal confidence but also for India's match situation. After being dismissed cheaply in the first innings, Kohli's contribution in the second innings helped India build a substantial lead.Kohli's resurgence is a timely boost for India, who have a busy Test schedule ahead. The team will face New Zealand in the remaining two Tests before embarking on a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Kohli's impressive record against Australia on their home turf bodes well for India's chances.Despite his recent form, Kohli's overall numbers in Test cricket since the launch of the World Test Championship in 2019 have been underwhelming. He ranks 13th on the list of most runs scored, with an average of 38.77. However, his performance in the current ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 has been more encouraging, with an average of 48.90.As India aims to secure their maiden WTC title, Kohli's continued form will be crucial. His experience and ability to score runs in challenging conditions will be invaluable for the team.

With India's Test captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first one or two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team is faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement. While Jasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner for the captaincy role, the search for an opening batter is still ongoing.Shubman Gill is a strong contender for the opening spot, but former Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble believes KL Rahul is a more versatile choice. Kumble praised Gill's talent and skills, but emphasized the need for a batter who can adapt to different roles, like Rahul."Rahul has played for India in various roles, from opening the batting to acting as a finisher at No. 6," Kumble said. "In the past, Cheteshwar Pujara has also batted at the top of the order when India needed someone to hold one end together. Rahul can do the same."Kumble highlighted the importance of having a batter who can control the first session and see off the new ball. "The Kookaburra Ball after the first 25 hours is best to bat between the 30th and 60th overs," he explained. "Rahul and Pujara have consistently done this throughout their careers, ensuring that the team is safe and the middle-order batters can come in later and score runs."While Gill is a talented young player, Kumble believes Rahul's experience and versatility make him a better choice to replace Rohit Sharma in the first Test. Rahul's ability to adapt to different roles and his proven track record at the top of the order make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, has emphasized the importance of neutralizing India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, in order to secure victory in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional bowling skills and recognized that silencing him would significantly enhance Australia's chances of winning the series.Cummins also expressed confidence in Australia's ability to draw inspiration from their recent triumphs in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals against India. He believes that these victories will provide a psychological edge for the Australian team.Despite India's dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy over the past decade, Cummins remains optimistic about Australia's prospects. He highlighted the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara, India's former No. 3 batter, as a potential advantage for Australia. Cummins described Pujara as a "real Test cricketer" whose stoic resistance had been a formidable challenge in previous encounters.Cummins also acknowledged the growing rivalry between India and Australia, comparing it to the iconic Ashes series. He noted that the expansion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to a five-Test format further intensifies the competition.Cummins praised India's reputation for winning away from home, recognizing their exceptional ability to adapt to different conditions. He emphasized that defeating India in their own backyard would be a significant achievement for Australia.

Former India captain Anil Kumble has opined that KL Rahul should open the batting for India in the first Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia if Rohit Sharma is unavailable due to personal reasons. Kumble believes that Rahul's adaptability and experience make him the ideal candidate for the role, while Shubman Gill should continue to excel at the No. 3 position.Kumble suggests that Yashasvi Jaiswal could partner Rahul at the top of the order, maintaining a balanced batting lineup. He emphasizes Gill's versatility and ability to adapt to different batting positions, including his successful stint as an opener in the past.Kumble acknowledges that Gill's batting style differs from traditional No. 3 stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, but believes that his dynamic strokeplay and adaptability could provide India with an edge in challenging Australian conditions.The former India head coach notes that the No. 3 batsman often faces the new ball and must control the first session of play. He believes that Gill has the ability to fulfill this role effectively, ensuring that the middle-order batsmen can come in later and score runs comfortably.Kumble emphasizes that Gill may need to adjust his approach based on the conditions in Australia, but he has the ability to do so. He believes that India can benefit from Gill's adaptability and versatility in the upcoming series.

India's legendary spinner Anil Kumble has expressed his confidence in young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's ability to excel in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Kumble believes that Jaiswal's versatility and adaptability will serve him well on the challenging Australian pitches.Jaiswal has been a consistent performer in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, showcasing his ability to adjust his tactics based on the conditions and opposition. In the recent home series against Bangladesh, he displayed his versatility by playing cautiously in the first Test, where the conditions favored the fast bowlers, and then switching to his naturally aggressive style in the second game.Kumble believes that Jaiswal's aggressive approach will be an asset in Australia, where India has won two consecutive series. He also highlighted the psychological advantage that the Indian team has going into the series, having won the previous two encounters against Australia."This Indian team is heading to Australia with two back-to-back series wins over them, which is a great confidence booster for a youngster," Kumble said. "When other teams tour Australia, they often do so with some hesitation because of past failures. But for this Indian side, coming off two series wins against Australia, the situation is much more comfortable."Kumble emphasized the importance of Jaiswal's technique and hunger for runs, which he believes will be key to his success in Australia. He also noted that Jaiswal's ability to learn and adapt quickly will be crucial in navigating the challenges of playing in different conditions.Overall, Kumble is optimistic about Jaiswal's prospects in Australia and believes that he has the potential to make a significant contribution to India's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Team India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia are in full swing, with the team set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting on October 16. The series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial test for India, as they aim to resolve the middle-order puzzle and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Australia.One of the key questions surrounding India's middle order is the selection between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. Rahul, a seasoned campaigner with 52 Tests under his belt, has been preferred over Khan in recent matches. However, Khan's impressive debut series against England, where he scored three fifties, has raised questions about Rahul's place in the team.Rahul's experience and familiarity with Australian conditions could give him an edge over Khan. Rahul has played in two previous Border-Gavaskar series, scoring a century in Sydney in 2014-15. However, his performance in the 2018-19 tour was less impressive, averaging only 11.40 in three Tests.On the other hand, Khan's recent form has been exceptional. In the series against England, he scored 153 runs in three innings, including a century in the second Test. His ability to play spin effectively could be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming series against Australia.The opening Test against New Zealand will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which has been a happy hunting ground for Rahul. In two previous Tests at the venue, he has scored 195 runs at an average of 65.00. A strong performance against New Zealand could bolster Rahul's case for a place in the middle order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ultimately, the decision between Rahul and Khan will depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the conditions in Australia. With the series against New Zealand providing a crucial opportunity to test both players, India will be hoping for a clear indication of who will be their preferred choice for the middle order in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on India coach Gautam Gambhir, describing him as a brilliant strategist who prioritizes the team's needs and seeks to gain an edge through tactical adjustments. Starc's admiration stems from his experience working with Gambhir as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in their first IPL title in a decade. Starc was impressed by Gambhir's ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies to exploit their weaknesses. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack," Starc said.Gambhir's focus extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and identifying subtle adjustments that can provide an advantage. "It's not just individual players, it's always about the team focus and how to get on top of little things that he might see in techniques or in a field placement or anything like that," Starc added.KKR acquired Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. Despite a modest league stage performance, Starc proved his worth with match-winning spells in the knockout rounds. "The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic. In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things," Starc said.However, the two will find themselves on opposite sides when Australia hosts India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth next month. Starc acknowledged that Gambhir's tactical acumen will pose a significant challenge for the Australian team.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: A Rivalry Renewed in the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with one of the key battles being the clash between Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli and Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.In their 19 Test innings together, Kohli has dominated Starc, dismissing him once and scoring numerous runs against him. However, Starc remains unfazed and relishes the challenge of facing the Indian star."I enjoy my battles with Virat Kohli," Starc said. "We've played a lot of cricket against one another, and I always have some good battles. I've managed to get him out once or twice, and he's no doubt scored a fair few runs against me, so it's always a good contest and one we both enjoy."Starc also praised India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for his tactical acumen and team-oriented approach."He's a fantastic thinker of the game," Starc said of Gambhir. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack. It's not just individual players; it's always about the team focus."Gambhir's leadership will be crucial for India as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Starc believes Gambhir's influence will be evident."The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic," Starc said. "In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things."With Kohli and Starc set to face off once again, and Gambhir guiding India's fortunes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an unforgettable cricketing experience.