Cricket

Australia's Test opening conundrum remains unresolved as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India approaches. Shane Watson believes Steven Smith should continue at the top of the order, despite his recent struggles.Smith's move to opener after David Warner's retirement has sparked debate. Watson initially favored Cameron Green for the role, but Green's impressive performances at No. 4 have convinced him otherwise."Cameron Green came in and batted at No. 4 and did a brilliant job," Watson said. "He's the perfect No. 4 candidate now."However, Green's availability for the India series is uncertain due to a lower back injury. Cricket Australia is assessing his scans and an announcement on his status is expected this week.Smith's four-Test stint as opener has yielded 171 runs at an average of 28.50. Watson believes Smith's recent struggles are due to technical issues, not his position."He was a little bit off with his technique," Watson said. "If he opens and makes those little adjustments, he can be incredibly successful."Watson also expressed his disappointment with the decision to host the opening Test in Perth instead of Brisbane."The Gabba is a more challenging place to play for the foreign teams," Watson said. "It provides a few more challenges, whereas Perth, for example, it's not humid, the ball doesn't swing as much."The Gabba has been an Australian stronghold, but has been breached recently by West Indies and India. The ground's future is uncertain as Brisbane requires upgraded infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic games.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India's rising star opener, has received high praise from legendary West Indies captain Brian Lara, who believes the 22-year-old has the potential to excel in any conditions, including the challenging pitches of Australia.Jaiswal has made a remarkable start to his Test career, amassing 1217 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 64.05. However, the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia will present a new test for the young opener.Lara, who famously scored 277 in Sydney on his maiden trip to Australia in 1992-93, believes Jaiswal's mental strength will be crucial to his success Down Under. "The adjustment is upstairs," Lara said. "The adjustment is the ability to back your talent in whatever conditions."Lara emphasized that Jaiswal's technical skills are already strong, but he needs to develop a strong mindset to overcome the challenges of playing away from home and facing a formidable Australian team.Jaiswal's impressive performances in India's home Tests this year, where he has scored 901 runs in seven games, have caught Lara's attention. The former West Indies captain also highlighted Abhishek Sharma, who made his T20I debut earlier this year, as another exciting young Indian batter."They're very young, and they play the game in a style [that is] very attacking, very stylish," Lara said of Jaiswal and Sharma. "It's great to see them go from strength to strength."As India prepares for the three-match Test series against New Zealand starting October 16, Jaiswal has been rested from the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh. The Test team will then embark on the tour of Australia, where they will face the Aussies in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22.

Cameron Green's availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India has been a subject of speculation, with the all-rounder expected to be available as a batter from the start of the series. However, his bowling status remains uncertain, with the possibility of him returning to the crease by the end of the five-Test showdown.Cricket Australia is set to provide an official update on Green's back injury later this week. According to reports, plans are underway to accommodate Green's limited bowling capacity during the Test summer. While he is ruled out of the opening Sheffield Shield round and unlikely to feature in the second, there is a chance he could play as a batter for Australia A against India A in early November.Despite his potential bowling limitations, the 25-year-old Green is considered a crucial member of Australia's top-six, especially after David Warner's retirement last summer. Steve Smith's move to opener was partly made to facilitate Green's inclusion.With five Tests scheduled within a short span of six weeks from late November, Mitchell Marsh may be required to step up as the primary bowler. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is also expected to shoulder a heavy workload, particularly in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, where the first three Tests will be played.Former Australian team doctor Peter Brukner believes that Green's back stress injury should not prevent him from batting or fielding once the initial pain subsides and the bone begins to heal. Green experienced discomfort after the third ODI against England and returned to Perth for scans."As soon as there's any hint of back pain, they whip them off for an MRI to see if there's any bone edema, which is the first sign there's some stress there," Brukner said. "That shows up fairly early in the process, so if you pick that up, it's an opportunity to back them off rather than pushing through it until it gets to a fracture."Green's Test debut in 2020 saw him restricted to bowling loads of about four overs per innings, and he may face a similar workload by the end of the India Tests. Melbourne and Sydney have traditionally been venues where Australia's selectors seek additional bowling options due to the slower pitches and the matches typically falling at the end of long series."The issue is the load, and as the bone recovers, you gradually increase the load through the bone," Brukner explained. "The load comes mainly from bowling – batting and fielding don't put a huge load on that part of the body, so it's feasible that once the pain settles down, you can bat and field without too many problems and feel fine."In Green's absence, Scott Boland and Michael Neser are likely to be considered as reserve options. Neser made an impressive start to the season for Queensland, dismissing Cameron Bancroft and Jayden Goodwin with the first two balls of the match and finding an edge from Marsh.

India's highly anticipated tour of Australia is approaching, with both teams preparing for the intense five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy series. India, the current holders of the trophy, will aim to retain their dominance, while Australia will seek to reclaim it on home soil.The build-up to the series has been marked by excitement and anticipation. Indian opener Usman Khawaja, who has played in Australia, shared his unique experience of playing in Melbourne, where the large Indian expat population and traveling fans often make it feel like an Indian home game."It can be funny because you can get a lot of Indian supporters in Australia," said Khawaja. "When I played in Melbourne the last time, there were so many people there. They were supporting India...I was like 'are we in Delhi or are we at the MCG?'"The Australian pitches have undergone significant changes in recent years, becoming more challenging for batsmen. Khawaja acknowledged this shift, noting that there have been fewer centuries scored in Australia over the past two years."Australian wickets have changed a lot," said Khawaja. "It has felt like over the last few years the ball has dominated the bat considerably. The conditions have been quite bowler-friendly (lately). Whether or not they will be bowler-friendly this year, I don't know; but it has definitely thrown a different spanner in the works."India will be looking to continue their recent success in Australia, having won the last two series Down Under. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, who has been in impressive form as captain. Australia, on the other hand, will be eager to prove their mettle on home soil and regain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top cricketing nations. The battle between India's formidable batting lineup and Australia's potent bowling attack will be a key factor in determining the outcome.

Sledging: A Fiery Element in the India-Australia Test RivalrySledging, the art of verbal jousting on the cricket field, has become an integral part of the intense rivalry between India and Australia. While Australian teams have traditionally been known for their aggressive sledging tactics, India has gradually embraced this aspect of the game, particularly under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli.In recent years, India has not only triumphed in their last two tours Down Under but has also matched the Australians in the art of sledging. Rishabh Pant, in particular, has emerged as a master of behind-the-wickets banter, often targeting Australian batters with his witty remarks.In a recent video shared by Star Sports, Australian players unanimously named Pant as the Indian player who sledges and banters the most. Pant, however, clarified that he does not engage in sledging with any specific purpose but simply enjoys the banter.The upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning on November 22 in Perth, promises to be another fiery encounter between these two cricketing giants. India's recent Test series win against Bangladesh has solidified their position atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with a points percentage of 74.24.If India manages to defeat New Zealand 3-0 at home, they will secure their place in the WTC final at Lord's in June 2025 before even heading to Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a contest of pride, with the world's No. 1 team aiming to retain the series.

Australia Braces for India's Dominance in Border-Gavaskar TrophyAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian cricket star Steve Smith has acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by India. In a recent Star Sports promo, Smith expressed his respect for India's dominance, stating, "We know they are very difficult to beat."The upcoming five-match Test series, beginning on November 22, marks the first such encounter between Australia and India since the 1991/92 season. Australian skipper Pat Cummins is determined to make amends after losing to India in two consecutive series at home. "We have not been successful in the last two series here in Australia. So it's been a long time, hopefully time to make amends," Cummins said.Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon echoed Smith's sentiments, praising the Indian squad. "I've always said throughout my whole career I wanna compete against the best. When you look through the whole Indian line-up. The whole squad is absolutely superstars wherever you look in. You want to compete and challenge yourself against them and can't wait to have the Indian guys out here," Lyon said.India's recent Test series win against Bangladesh has solidified their position atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. With eight wins, two losses, and one draw, India has amassed 98 points and a points percentage of 74.24. If India defeats New Zealand 3-0 at home, they will secure their place in the WTC final at Lord's in June 2025 before even heading to Australia.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will thus be a contest of pride, with the world's No. 1 team aiming to retain the series. Australia, on the other hand, is determined to break India's dominance and prove their mettle on foreign soil.

Virat Kohli's tenure as India's captain across all formats ended without an ICC trophy, but former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that doesn't diminish his legacy as a leader.Speaking to 'Sports Yaari,' Harbhajan emphasized that Kohli instilled a fighting spirit and a belief in taking on challenges head-on. He cited the heroic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21 as an example.Despite Kohli's absence for the final three Tests due to the birth of his child, the team's determination to chase down daunting targets and never give up was evident. Harbhajan attributed this mindset to Kohli's influence."The fire that he ignited in the team, like it may be a target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test, we'll go for the chase, we won't panic. If we go down, we do it while chasing," Harbhajan said.He highlighted the performances of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where India chased down over 300 to clinch the series."That determination to fight till the end, which Shubman and Rishabh showed to win that Test in Gabba. It was because the way the team's thinking changed," Harbhajan concluded.While Kohli may not have led India to an ICC trophy, Harbhajan believes his legacy as a captain lies in the fire and belief he instilled in the team, which continues to reap benefits today.

India-Australia Rivalry Evolves into Respect, Says Virat KohliThe intense rivalry between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has undergone a significant transformation over the years, according to batting maestro Virat Kohli. Initially characterized by fierce competition and heated exchanges, the relationship has shifted towards mutual respect, particularly after India's consecutive Test series victories in Australia.Kohli, who has been at the forefront of this rivalry, believes that both teams have developed a deeper understanding and admiration for each other's abilities. "It was quite intense at the beginning, but I think since the time we had won two Test series in Australia, the rivalry has turned into respect," Kohli said in a Star Sports promo for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy."We are not taken lightly now as a Test team. The respect looks quite visible when you play against Australia since we have beaten them for back-to-back series wins at their own backyard," he added.The upcoming five-match Test series, which begins on November 22, will be the first between the two teams since 1991/92. It will be a crucial test for India, who currently sit atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.A 3-0 series win against New Zealand at home would secure India's place in the WTC final, scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a matter of pride for the world's No. 1 team.Kohli's comments reflect the changing dynamics of the India-Australia rivalry. While the intensity and competitiveness remain, there is now a greater sense of respect and camaraderie between the two teams. This evolution is a testament to the growth of both teams and the enduring legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised to make a much-anticipated return to action in the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand. Shami has been sidelined since the World Cup final last year due to an ankle injury that required surgery.After undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Shami has been training diligently at the BCCI's newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Shami's recovery is progressing well, and he is likely to be match-ready for the New Zealand series.The 30-year-old seamer is eager to prove his fitness and regain his place in the Indian team. He has dismissed rumors that he will miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia later this year, stating that he is working hard to recover and has not been ruled out by the BCCI.Shami's return will be a significant boost for India, who have missed his experience and skill in the bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a formidable threat to opposition batsmen.The New Zealand series will provide Shami with an opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and form ahead of the crucial Australia tour. If he performs well, he is likely to be included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India will aim to retain the trophy they won in 2018-19.Shami's return to action is a positive sign for Indian cricket. His experience and skill will be invaluable as the team prepares for a challenging schedule in the coming months.