Cricket

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to join the team in Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin. Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles injury but made a successful return to competitive cricket in Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.Shami's return is a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran pacer has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key member of India's fast-bowling attack in recent years.Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shami's return will strengthen India's pace attack and give them a better chance of winning the series. "If anything, I would have wanted a little more support for Jasprit (Bumrah) in the pace-bowling attack. So the quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, I think it's better for India," Shastri said.Shami is expected to join the Indian team after the second Test in Adelaide. India need to win four of the five Tests in Australia to have a big shot at sealing their place in a third straight World Test Championship final.Shami has played a pivotal role in India's success in recent years, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19. He is a proven performer in Australian conditions and his return will be a major boost for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Indian cricket team batter Sarfaraz Khan has faced significant challenges during a practice session in Perth ahead of the first Test match against Australia, scheduled to commence on November 22. According to a report by The West Australian, Khan struggled to adapt to the conditions at the WACA ground, exhibiting difficulties in handling the bounce of the pitch.The report suggests that Khan appeared like a "batter who hasn't played outside of the subcontinent," as he faced issues with short balls and was prone to chopping deliveries outside his off-stump onto the wickets. This performance has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming Test series.Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has expressed his belief that the Indian team's decision to train behind closed doors in Perth could be detrimental to their morale. Healy argues that such privacy can create an unhappy touring squad, as it prevents players from embracing the experience and interacting with the Australian public and media.Healy suggests that India's approach is similar to what Australia used to do in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where they would isolate themselves from the local environment. However, he believes that this strategy is counterproductive and can lead to a less enjoyable tour.Healy acknowledges that India may have legitimate reasons for seeking privacy, such as the overwhelming attention they receive from fans and media. However, he emphasizes that social media has amplified the intensity of cricket in India, making it crucial for players to engage with the public and media to maintain a positive atmosphere during the tour.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

Rishabh Pant's Hilarious Banter with Jasprit Bumrah Lights Up Indian Cricket Team's Perth PracticeAs the Indian cricket team gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, the atmosphere in the nets has been filled with both hard work and lighthearted banter. At the heart of the fun has been wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who has been engaging in a hilarious exchange with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.Pant, known for his aggressive batting and infectious enthusiasm, has been trying his hand at bowling during the team's practice sessions. From overpitched deliveries to bouncers, Pant has thrown everything at Bumrah, hoping to claim the prized wicket of the Indian pace spearhead.In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pant can be seen claiming to have dismissed Bumrah with a bouncer. "Jasprit Bumrah ko pel diya hai maine, net pe out kara hai 1 wicket mila hai. Morkel se puch skte ho (I've dismissed Jasprit Bumrah and got 1 wicket. You can ask Morkel)," Pant said in the video.Bumrah, however, was quick to counter Pant's claim, calling his bowling action illegal. "His bowling action is illegal. It's not out, it's a four or it's a two, I've connected a pull shot. He thinks he has 7 fielders there. He should not be allowed to bowl," Bumrah said.The banter between Pant and Bumrah continued as the wicket-keeper batter tried to convince India's fast bowling coach Morne Morkel that Bumrah was out. Morkel, caught in the middle of the friendly rivalry, found himself in a conundrum.Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, the Indian team is taking their preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy seriously. After their net session, the team engaged in a warm-up match against India A, starting Friday. However, some of India's top stars, including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, failed to cross the 20-run mark on the opening day of the practice match.While these are still early days in the preparations, the Indian team will be hoping to find their form and build momentum ahead of the first Test against Australia on December 17.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma faces a crucial decision as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) approaches in Australia. With the birth of his second child imminent, Rohit has remained in India and is likely to miss the opening Test in Perth.Rohit's recent red-ball form has been underwhelming, with a string of low scores in his last 10 innings against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit to exercise caution against Australia's formidable pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood."At the start, he can be troubled by Mitchell Starc's lengths and lines," Gavaskar said. "He needs to get the shot-selection right. That's not just for Rohit Sharma, but for any batter."Gavaskar emphasized the importance of restraint on Australian pitches, despite their reputation for being batter-friendly. "Australian pitches are good for batters, and they use the Kookaburra ball. It doesn't swing or seam much after the first 15 overs...If you show some restraint in the first session, then you can score runs," he said.Regarding Rohit's availability for the series opener, head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that there is no clarity yet. Rohit continues to train in Mumbai, and his participation in the Perth Test will be determined closer to the match.If Rohit misses the opening Test, India will have to rely on vice-captain KL Rahul or Shubman Gill to lead the batting charge. Rahul has been in impressive form in recent Tests, while Gill has shown promise in his limited opportunities.The BGT is a prestigious series between India and Australia, and Rohit's absence would be a significant blow to the Indian team. However, with a talented squad at his disposal, head coach Rahul Dravid will be confident of defending India's title.

Indian Cricket Team Faces Challenges in Intra-Squad Match SimulationAs the Indian cricket team prepares for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, they faced a stern test in an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA in Perth. The intense session highlighted the challenges the team will encounter on Australian soil.The top-order batters faced a barrage of impressive bowling, with several falling victim to the bouncy Perth surfaces. Virat Kohli, who has been struggling for form, was caught behind for 15 after nicking a good-length delivery. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul also departed early, with Jaiswal caught behind for 15 and Rahul forced to leave the field after being struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna.The conditions proved challenging for the Indian batters, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Nitish Reddy exploiting the bounce to trouble them. Shubman Gill was caught at gully, while Rishabh Pant was clean-bowled for 19.The match simulation served as a wake-up call for the Indian team, highlighting the need for them to adapt quickly to the Australian conditions. The pitch at the WACA provided enough movement to unsettle the batters, giving them a taste of what they can expect in the upcoming Test series.With the first Test set to begin on November 22, the Indian team will need to find a way to overcome the challenges posed by the bouncy Australian pitches. The intra-squad match simulation has provided them with valuable insights and will help them prepare for the tough battles ahead.

Virat Kohli's Test Dominance in Australia Earns Him Unparalleled RespectIn the lead-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shed light on the immense respect Virat Kohli commands in Australia, attributing it to his remarkable performances in Test matches on Australian soil.Chopra believes that Test cricket holds a special place in Australia, and dominating in this format is the ultimate way to earn respect. He emphasized that Kohli's stellar Test record in Australia, with 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, has made him a celebrated figure among Australian fans and media alike.Chopra dismissed any suggestion that the hype surrounding Kohli is a result of media manipulation, stating that Kohli has "commanded" respect, not demanded it. He explained that Kohli's ability to conquer challenging Australian grounds and decimate their team has earned him the admiration of the Australian public.Chopra contrasted Kohli's achievements with those of current India captain Rohit Sharma, pointing out that despite Rohit's greatness in limited-overs cricket, especially against Australia, he hasn't had the same impact in Test matches Down Under. Rohit has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings in Australia, without a century to his name.Chopra also noted that the widespread recognition of Kohli is reminiscent of the respect shown to Sachin Tendulkar in Australia, where his Test exploits earned him lasting admiration. He emphasized that to earn respect in Australia and England, players must perform exceptionally in Test matches, and Kohli has undoubtedly achieved this.

The Australian soil has been a breeding ground for Indian cricketers, with many making their mark on the international stage. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, the country has witnessed the rise of several stars. This tradition continues with the current Indian squad, which features promising youngsters who could make their Test or international debuts during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Irfan Pathan (2003)Pathan's Test debut in 2003 was a memorable one, with India securing a historic win at Adelaide. He made his mark as an all-rounder, scoring a century and taking a wicket in his debut match. Pathan went on to play 173 matches for India, winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013.Vinay Kumar (2012)Kumar made his Test debut in 2012 under MS Dhoni's captaincy. He picked up a wicket in his only Test outing and also played 31 ODIs and nine T20Is for India. After retiring from first-class cricket in 2020, Kumar joined the Mumbai Indians talent scouting team and later became the bowling coach for MI Emirates.Karn Sharma (2014)Sharma made his Test debut in 2014 under Virat Kohli's captaincy. He took four wickets in the match but was overshadowed by Nathan Lyon's 12-wicket haul. Sharma has since played two ODIs and a T20I for India and continues to be a key domestic cricket player for Railways.KL Rahul (2014)Rahul made his international debut in 2014 and has since become a regular in the Indian team. He has scored over 8,000 runs in international cricket, including 17 centuries. Rahul will be looking to make a strong impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has an average of just over 20.Mayank Agarwal (2018)Agarwal made his Test debut in 2018 and played a crucial role in India's victory in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored 195 runs in two innings, including a fine 76 in the first innings. Agarwal has since played 21 Tests for India, scoring over 1,400 runs with four centuries.Mohammed Siraj (2020)Siraj's Test debut was a moment of resilience and emotion. He stepped up in the absence of injured senior players and led the pace battery in the final Test at Gabba. Siraj took 5/73 in the match-winning effort, helping India to an inspirational series win. He is now an all-format star for India, having taken 165 wickets in 91 matches.Navdeep Saini (2021)Saini made his Test debut in 2021 and has since taken 23 wickets in 21 international matches. He was recently picked for the India A series Down Under and is present in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a reserve player.Shubman Gill (2021)Gill made his Test debut in 2021 and played a crucial role in India's 2-1 win over Australia. He scored 259 runs in three matches, including two half-centuries. Gill has since become an all-format star, scoring over 4,700 runs in 97 matches with 12 centuries.Washington Sundar (2021)Sundar made his Test debut in the iconic Gabba Test win in 2021. He scored 62 and 22 in the match and took four wickets, including three in the first innings. Sundar has since been picked up as the third spinner for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.T Natarajan (2021)Natarajan made his debut across all formats during the 2020-21 tour to Australia. He played his first Test at Gabba, picking up three wickets. Natarajan has not played first-class cricket since then and his last international match was against England in March 2021.

KL Rahul's Injury Woes Continue Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy OpenerIndian star batter KL Rahul's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener against Australia is in doubt after he was forced to retire hurt during an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA.Rahul was struck by a rising delivery and was seen leaving the ground in discomfort, escorted by a physio. The incident has raised concerns about his fitness and form, which have been under scrutiny in recent times.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rahul is a candidate to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening Test, with skipper Rohit Sharma likely to be unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child.Rahul's recent performances have been underwhelming. In the home series against New Zealand, he was dismissed for scores of 0 and 12 in his only Test appearance, leading to his exclusion from the next two Tests. His struggles continued in a recent India A game against Australia A, where he scored only 4 and 10.The pressure is mounting on Rahul to regain his form as India looks to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the challenging Australian conditions. India are aiming for their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, a feat that would cement their status as one of the world's leading Test teams.Rahul's injury is a setback for India, who are already dealing with the absence of several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami. The team management will be hoping that Rahul recovers in time for the first Test, but his participation remains uncertain at this stage.