Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace sensation, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket, earning accolades as arguably the best fast bowler across formats. His exceptional skills and consistent performances have made him a crucial asset for Team India, playing a pivotal role in their recent triumphs.Bumrah's rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. Since making his Test debut in 2018, he has amassed 164 wickets in just 37 matches, boasting an impressive average of 20.51. His ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and maintain accuracy has made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah was instrumental in India's success, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. His ability to bowl effective yorkers, slower balls, and variations at crucial junctures proved invaluable.Bumrah's dominance extends to red-ball cricket as well. His performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia have been particularly noteworthy. In the 2020-21 series, he claimed 21 wickets in four matches, including a match-winning spell of 6/33 in the final innings of the Gabba Test.Former Australian captain Steve Smith, known for his astute batting skills, has heaped praise on Bumrah, calling him "arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats." Smith's admiration highlights the respect Bumrah has earned among his peers.Bumrah's success has not only elevated his status but has also brought recognition to the role of bowlers in Indian cricket. In a country where batting has traditionally been the focus, Bumrah's achievements have inspired a new generation of aspiring fast bowlers.As India embarks on another Test series against Australia, Bumrah's skills will be crucial to their hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His ability to adapt to different conditions and outsmart the opposition's best batsmen will be key to India's success Down Under.

Pat Cummins Highlights Rishabh Pant's Game-Changing Ability Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAustralian captain Pat Cummins has identified Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a key player to contain in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match Test series, beginning on November 22 in Perth, promises to be a highly competitive affair between two in-form teams.Pant has emerged as a crucial player for India, particularly known for his aggressive batting style. He has been particularly effective against Australia, scoring a match-winning 109 in the second innings of the Dhaka Test in December 2022, helping India secure a 280-run victory.Cummins compared Pant's playing style to that of Australia's own Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, who are also known for their aggressive approach. "Every team has one or two players who can take the game on," Cummins said. "We have Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. With those guys, you know they're going to be aggressive. You miss your area a little bit and they can take the game on."Cummins acknowledged Pant's skill in playing unconventional shots, such as the reverse lap, which has become a trademark of his batting. "Someone like Rishabh Pant might play a reverse lap, and it's an incredible shot," Cummins said. "That's just a part of who he is. We've become accustomed to it nowadays because some of those ridiculous shots are a bit more common."The Australian captain also emphasized Pant's influence in previous series against Australia, saying, "He is someone who has had a big influence on a couple of series. Got to try to keep him quiet."With both teams in good form and preparing diligently, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an intense and captivating series. Pant's aggressive batting and game-changing ability will undoubtedly be a major factor in the outcome.

Team India's upcoming tour of Australia in 2024 for a five-match Test series has sparked concerns about the potential for targeted attacks on the team by opposition players and the local media. Former India batter Aakash Chopra has revealed disturbing incidents from India's previous tour in 2018/19, highlighting the tactics employed to tarnish the image of the visiting team.Chopra shared an incident involving Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who had a heated exchange during a match. The Australian media, according to Chopra, amplified the stump mic audio and released inconclusive clips to the press, creating a negative narrative around the Indian team."They (Australian media) used to release videos. They did it in front of me when Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja had a heated exchange with each other while standing in the 30-yard circle. The broadcasters amped up the stump mic as they were abusing each other," Chopra said.Chopra also revealed that Ricky Ponting, who was in the commentary box, initially condemned the incident but later changed his stance on-air. "Ricky said they are 'Making a mountain out of a molehill'. The moment he went on air, he tore into the Indian team, and I was stunned that he had just said something else a few minutes back," Chopra added.These revelations raise concerns about the potential for similar tactics to be employed during the upcoming tour. India has enjoyed a dominant run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning the last two series in Australia and becoming the only Asian team to win a Test series Down Under on multiple occasions.However, the Aussies are eager to regain their dominance and may resort to underhanded tactics to gain an advantage. The Indian team must be prepared for such challenges and maintain their focus on the game.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a fiercely contested rivalry, but it is important to ensure that the competition remains fair and respectful. The Australian media and opposition players have a responsibility to uphold the spirit of the game and avoid engaging in tactics that could damage the reputation of the Indian team or the sport itself.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticized Australian spinner Nathan Lyon's bold prediction that Australia will sweep the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against India by a 5-0 margin. Lyon's comments, made on the Willow Talk podcast, have sparked controversy and drawn a sharp response from Ali.Ali dismissed Lyon's prediction as "stupid," arguing that such remarks should not come from a cricketer. He pointed out that India has dominated Australia in the past two BGT series and that Lyon's comments were disrespectful. Ali urged Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to respond to Lyon's challenge and predict a 5-0 victory for India.Despite the BGT series being several months away, players from both sides have begun expressing their excitement and making bold predictions. While Lyon believes Australia will cruise to victory, his compatriot Travis Head has acknowledged the strength of the Indian team. Head stated that India is "extremely difficult" to play against and that he is looking forward to contributing to Australia's success in the upcoming series.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia is one of the most highly anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. The first Test will be played in Perth on November 22, and the series is expected to be fiercely competitive.

The rivalry between India and Australia in cricket is one of the most intense in the sport, and it's set to reach new heights when the two teams face off in a five-Test series Down Under for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, beginning this November. The build-up to the much-awaited clash is fast gaining momentum, and it has been further fueled by former India opener Aakash Chopra, who has exposed how Indian team and players are targeted on Australian tours.Sharing a story from his commentary stint during India's 2018-19 tour, Chopra not only criticised the actions but also revealed how specific portions of play from live broadcast are clipped and shared with the Australian media to bring the Indian players into disrepute.India registered a historic first ever Test series win in Australia under Virat Kohli's captaincy, and the story Chopra shared on the '2 Sloggers' podcast is from the second Test of the series in Perth. Chopra claimed that the broadcasters amplified the stump microphone to highlight a heated on-field exchange between Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in an attempt to tarnish the image of the visiting team.Chopra was in the commentary box when the said incident happened. "They (Australian media) used to release videos. They did it in front of me when Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja had a heated exchange with each other while standing in the 30-yard circle. The broadcasters amped up the stump mic as they were abusing each other," Chopra said on the podcast."They cut the clip and shared it with the press in front of me. After that, when we were talking off the field, I was like, 'What are we actually trying to achieve because it’s nothing',' the 47-year-old former opener added.Chopra went on to add that Ricky Ponting, who was present in the commentary box when this happened, first condemned what he saw but said something exactly the opposite as soon as the former Australia captain went on air. "Ricky said they are 'Making a mountain out of a molehill'. The moment he went on air, he tore into the Indian team, and I was stunned that he had just said something else a few minutes back," Chopra recalled.Chopra's revelations have sparked outrage among Indian fans and former players, who have accused the Australian media of bias and unfair treatment of the Indian team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also taken note of the matter and is expected to raise it with the International Cricket Council (ICC).The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, and the off-field drama is only adding to the anticipation. It remains to be seen how the Indian team will respond to the allegations of unfair treatment, but one thing is for sure: the rivalry between India and Australia is set to reach new heights in the coming weeks.

India's Test cricket team, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, is poised to embark on a new season with a positive outlook. The team will face a spirited Bangladesh side in a two-match series, marking the beginning of a busy schedule that includes 10 Tests in the upcoming months.Gambhir and his men are eager to make a strong start in the World Test Championship, with a series of crucial matches lined up. After the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand for three Tests in October, followed by a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia starting in November.Former India player Dinesh Karthik and Australia legend Michael Bevan expressed their excitement for the upcoming series. Karthik believes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a challenging test for India, as they face an in-form Australian side. However, he remains confident in the team's resilience and determination.Bevan, who will coach the Southern Superstars in the Legends League Cricket, also anticipates a competitive series. He acknowledges the strength of the Indian team but believes the Australian team is forging a new culture under Pat Cummins.Regarding the first Test against Bangladesh, Karthik warns that the visitors will enter the match with confidence after their recent triumph over Pakistan. He emphasizes that India must be aware of the threat posed by a slightly different Bangladesh team.The jersey launch for the Southern Superstars was attended by actress Aishwarya Rajesh and franchise spokesperson Srinadh Chitoori. Former India players Parthiv Patel and Kedar Jadhav were also present as team members.

Australia's formidable bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon poses a significant threat to India's dominance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to Pakistan's Test team head coach Jason Gillespie. Despite India's impressive record of four consecutive series wins since 2014-15, Gillespie believes the Australian bowlers have the potential to turn the tide.Gillespie expressed his confidence in an interview with 'Fox Sports', stating, "I will be backing them in and I am sure they can do the job. They are the best bowlers in the country. Their records speak for themselves. This quartet, including Nathan Lyon, is the best possible bowling attack that Australia can put out in the park."India, led by Rohit Sharma, has maintained an unbeaten streak in the current World Test Championship cycle, securing victories against the West Indies and England, and a draw against South Africa. However, Gillespie remains optimistic about Australia's chances, saying, "They are red-hot, they are playing some good Test cricket for a while now. Even though they have beaten Australia in recent times. I think Australia have a chance to beat India this time around."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, part of the World Test Championship, will commence on November 22 in Perth. This series will also mark a historic milestone as it will be the first time since 1991-92 that India and Australia will compete in a five-Test series for this trophy.In terms of player positions, following David Warner's retirement, Steve Smith had moved to the opening slot but didn't perform well. Gillespie suggested, "Players like David Warner are pretty tough to replace. I didn't mind the idea of Steve Smith going up in the order. I have a feeling that he might have slot back in the middle order to bat at 4."India and Australia currently occupy the top two spots in the World Test Championship points table, with New Zealand in third place. The upcoming series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's leading Test nations.

Australia's Nathan Lyon, a seasoned off-spinner, exudes confidence in his team's ability to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) from India during the upcoming Aussie summer. The BGT, which will be contested over five Tests for the first time, holds immense significance as it could determine a place in the World Test Championship final.Lyon, who has been meticulously analyzing the Indian batsmen since England's tour of India earlier this year, believes Australia will emerge victorious with a resounding 5-0 scoreline. He emphasizes the need for Australia's top batsmen to deliver substantial centuries to put pressure on India's pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah."We need big runs. We need the guys who are talented enough to get the hundred. The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all the top order. I don't want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200," Lyon asserted.The pain of not winning the BGT since 2014 has been palpable among Australian cricketers. Lyon, who has played a pivotal role in Australia's Test success, is eager to end this drought and bring the trophy back home."It's been 10 years since we have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I started thinking about this series when England were over in India... I love the game and I will watch a decent Test match, but I have had eyes on this series (BGT) for a long time now," Lyon said.Lyon's confidence stems from his meticulous preparation and understanding of the Indian batsmen's strengths and weaknesses. He has been taking notes and seeking insights from other spinners who have recently toured India."I had a really good chat with Tom Hartley (England spinner), just about the way he went about it, when (Yashasvi) Jaiswal went after him. That's something I picked up from him," Lyon revealed.With the BGT set to commence in December, the anticipation is building. Lyon's bold prediction has added fuel to the fire, setting the stage for an enthralling series that could reshape the landscape of Test cricket.

Marnus Labuschagne, the prolific Australian batsman, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming duels with the formidable Indian pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. However, one particular battle that Labuschagne is especially looking forward to is against the fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj.Labuschagne and Siraj have a shared history that dates back to their time at the MRF Academy in 2015-16. "We played against each other, and that's when I first met him," Labuschagne recalled in a recent interview with Star Sports.The Australian batsman, who has now reached the milestone of 50 Tests, praised Siraj for his infectious energy and passion for the game. "He has got great passion, great energy, and a great love for the game," Labuschagne said. "It's been nice to see our careers moving almost together from such experiences."Siraj, who is also 30 years old, has made a significant impact in his 27 Tests for India, claiming 74 wickets. He will next be in action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai.After Bangladesh's visit, India will host New Zealand for a three-Test series before embarking on their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This year's edition of the prestigious series will be contested over five Tests for the first time.All 10 Tests that India will play in the coming months are part of the World Test Championship (WTC). The results of these matches will determine whether India can retain their current No. 1 spot in the WTC table or remain in the top two to qualify for their third consecutive WTC final in June next year.Labuschagne's anticipation for the upcoming battles against Siraj and the Indian pace attack is palpable. The Australian batsman is known for his resilience and determination, and he will undoubtedly be looking to make a significant contribution to his team's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.