Cricket

India's shock 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The loss, their first at home in nearly 12 years, has raised questions about India's preparation and mindset.Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes India underestimated New Zealand, a team they have traditionally dominated at home. "They went into the series thinking they'd whitewash the Kiwis," Lee said. "That's no disrespect to the Kiwis, but India are so powerful on home soil."Lee's comments highlight the complacency that may have crept into the Indian camp. India's recent home record has been impeccable, with their last Test series loss coming against England in 2012. This may have led them to believe that victory over New Zealand was a foregone conclusion.However, New Zealand's spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel proved to be India's undoing. The pair exploited the turning tracks, exposing the Indian batters' vulnerability against spin.Despite the setback, Lee believes India will be motivated heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "This is a great learning curve for all out there," he said. "They are going to come in strong."Lee also urged star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hit the "reset button." "When you have a couple of bad runs back-to-back, that's when the pressure could set in," he said. "They need to go back to the drawing board and work on their technique."India's defeat has put their hopes of reaching a third straight World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy. They now need to win the remaining two Tests against Australia to qualify for the final.

India's recent 0-3 Test series defeat at home to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team's preparation and approach. Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes India underestimated their opponents, leading to their disappointing performance.Lee pointed out that India's batters struggled against New Zealand's spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, who exploited the subcontinent's turning pitches. He suggested that India may have entered the series with overconfidence due to their strong home record."They went into the series thinking that we'll just whitewash the Kiwis, thinking that's going to be an easy series," Lee said on his YouTube channel. "And that's no disrespect to the Kiwis. It's just that India are so powerful, so strong on home soil. The Kiwis caught India off-guard."Lee also highlighted a concerning pattern in India's batting approach, which lacked patience. He suggested that India's aggressive mindset may have backfired as they forced their game against the disciplined Kiwi bowlers."They were trying to hit boundaries every ball," Lee said. "They weren't prepared to grind it out, to bat for long periods of time. And that's what the Kiwis did. They were prepared to bat for long periods of time, they were prepared to grind it out."With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, starting on November 22 in Perth, Lee remains confident that India can bounce back and prepare themselves for the crucial series against Australia."This is a great learning curve for all out there," Lee added. "They are going to come in strong. They would have got a kick up the backside from their coach, Gautam Gambhir. This is atrocious, the way they played but they are still a team of champions."Lee also weighed in on the poor form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have struggled with the bat this year. He advised the duo to take time off, refresh, and focus on refining their techniques ahead of the Australian series."When you have a couple of bad runs back-to-back, that's when the pressure could set in," Lee said. "I guess the thing now is someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma just have to go back to the drawing board. Work on that technique, freshen up, get away from cricket as much as they can and then hit the ground running when they go to Australia."With a spot in the World Test Championship final up for grabs, Lee believes India will come back stronger and well-prepared for the upcoming series against Australia.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has opened up about his intense on-field rivalry with former India spinner Harbhajan Singh. Lee revealed that he "hated" bowling to Harbhajan due to his constant sledging and bizarre antics.Harbhajan's tactics included incessant chatter, hopping around the crease, and even mocking Lee's pace. "He would sledge and he would hop in and going after me 'You're quick'. I could never get him; I was always exhausted," Lee recalled on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Lee acknowledged that sledging was common in cricket, but Harbhajan's antics were particularly effective in disrupting his rhythm. "He used to annoy the hell out of me," Lee admitted. "He is an absolute legend of a bloke, but he used to frustrate the sh out of me when I bowled to him."Lee believes that the 2001 Test series, where India famously defeated Australia, was a turning point for Indian cricket. "It was them saying 'We can match Australia. Not just match; we can beat them'," Lee said.Since then, Indian players have become increasingly aggressive on the field, matching the intensity of their Australian counterparts. Lee praised Virat Kohli's leadership and MS Dhoni's quiet but determined approach."I love the way Kohli plays. He is such a good player... with that aggression," Lee said. "And you've got different guys like back in the day, MS Dhoni... didn't say anything. Just did what he had to do and wouldn't back down."Lee's comments highlight the fierce rivalry between Australia and India, which has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. Despite the on-field battles, Lee holds Harbhajan in high regard, recognizing his skill and the impact he had on the game.

Australia's legendary fast bowler Brett Lee has emphasized the crucial role of India's pace trio—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami—in their quest to conquer the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Bumrah and Siraj have been instrumental in India's recent success, while Shami has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an Achilles tendon injury. However, Lee believes Shami's return to fitness is paramount for India's chances."Mohammed Shami has to be fit if India want to win over here," Lee asserted. "We all know how good a bowler Bumrah is. He can shape the ball both ways and will bowl extremely well. He's great with the old ball and a master of reverse swing."Lee also praised Siraj's ability to extract movement from the new ball. "Mohammed Siraj gets that new ball to talk and when he presents that seam upright, he gets it shape away, which can trouble Australia on wickets like Perth and Adelaide."Lee emphasized the importance of all three fast bowlers firing alongside Ravichandran Ashwin's spin. "For me, it is that combination. It is those three fast bowlers plus Ashwin, the spinner. Then they have guys who are part-time spinners to play a role. But you have to have those three quicks firing if India want to win."In case Shami is not ready for the Tests, Lee suggests India consider young speedster Mayank Yadav, who impressed in the IPL and made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. "The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played," Lee said. "If Mayank Yadav is ready to go, get him in there."Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential could be an asset on Australian wickets. "One thing I can promise you is that batsmen are OK around that 135km to 140km an hour mark. It is when they are bowling high 150s that no-one wants to face fast bowling over 150km/h. He looks as though he has the complete package. He is fresh and raw. But I would be inclined to go with him if Mohammed Shami is not ready."

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has issued a stern warning to his countrymen ahead of their upcoming Test series against India, describing the Asian giants as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down" to anyone.Lee's comments come in the wake of India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test earlier this week. Despite the setback, Lee believes that India remains a formidable force in world cricket."This day and age, India is a powerhouse that don't want to bow down. They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis. They know they can beat anyone on any given day," Lee told 'Fox Cricket'.Lee suggested that India's recent performance against New Zealand may have been influenced by the aggressive approach adopted by England under Brendon McCullum, known as 'Bazball'."India just didn't go into their shell. Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," he noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India's batting woes in the Bengaluru Test were evident in their first innings, where they were bowled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test score at home. Lee believes that the team needs to assess conditions more accurately and make better decisions."But, you've got to weigh up the risk factor as well. There are times when you've got to go, 'Okay, well, maybe the big shots aren't working today'. Maybe, just rein it in a little bit. I don't think they sort of summed up the conditions as quickly as what they should have done," Lee said.Before departing for Australia, India will play two more Test matches against New Zealand in Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5). These matches will provide the team with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, is set to embark on his maiden coaching assignment with the Indian cricket team during their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir's appointment as head coach follows the successful tenure of Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados.Brett Lee, the legendary Australian pacer, has expressed his confidence in Gambhir's ability to lead the Indian team to success. Lee believes that Gambhir's aggressive and winning mindset, which he displayed during his playing days, will translate into positive results for the team."He's done a terrific job every time he's had an opportunity," Lee said of Gambhir. "The Indian Premier League title with KKR is the best example. He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure."Lee also praised Dravid for his successful stint as head coach, saying, "Congratulations to Rahul for finishing on a high."Regarding India's performance at the T20 World Cup, Lee commended Rohit Sharma's leadership. "Big, big congratulations to India," Lee said. "They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team. He led from the front in the tournament."India will face Sri Lanka in three T20Is and as many ODIs, starting July 26. Rohit and Virat Kohli are likely to be rested for the tour, providing an opportunity for younger players to showcase their skills.

Brett Lee Lauds Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head CoachAustralian bowling legend Brett Lee has expressed his admiration for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. Lee believes that Gambhir's on-field aggression and game awareness will be invaluable assets for the Men in Blue.Gambhir, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024 as a mentor, has taken over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's T20 World Cup triumph. Gambhir's coaching tenure will commence with an away white-ball series against Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on June 27.Lee, who played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for Australia between 1999 and 2012, praised Gambhir's leadership qualities and his ability to unite his players. "He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure," Lee said.Lee also commended India's T20 World Cup victory, highlighting the team's strong performance and Rohit Sharma's leadership. "India played the perfect style of cricket in the T20 World Cup. They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team," Lee said.Regarding Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch in the final, Lee remarked, "Catches win you matches, don't they? I mean, Surya plucked the ball out of the sky. It was a brilliant, title-winning catch."Lee emphasized the importance of fitness for fast bowlers and revealed that he is fitter now than he was during his playing days. "I'm probably fitter now than I was when I was playing, to be perfectly honest," he said.On the topic of Australia's performance in the T20 World Cup, Lee acknowledged the team's challenges but expressed optimism for the future. "We're at a bit of a crossroads now with the Australian cricket team. It's time for the next generation of young cricketers to come through and flourish," he said.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has hailed Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah as the "best" bowler across all three formats of the game. Lee's praise comes after Bumrah's stellar performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament."Their batting order, which includes players who can dominate at every position from top to bottom, speaks volumes. Their middle-order is loaded with power and they have hitters who can put runs on the board quickly. In my opinion, Jasprit Bumrah is simply exceptional," said Lee.Bumrah's exceptional pace, swing, and control make him a formidable force in all formats. At the T20 World Cup, he showcased his leadership abilities, leading the Indian attack with 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and an economy of just 4.17."He is the best bowler in all formats right now and leads the attack. Bumrah can keep up an amazing pace while shaping the new ball away. His tournament performance demonstrated his leadership abilities, taking about 15 wickets with remarkable economy. He is absolutely exceptional, and India is deserving of praise for their accomplishments," added Lee.Lee, who is currently captaining the Australia Legends team at the World Championship of Legends, also praised his country's performance after their first loss against Pakistan."It's obviously been a wonderful week for us. After our loss against Pakistan and then to have three wins in the tournament is fantastic. So, we are starting to find some form," he said.With legends like Dan Christian and Brett Lee driving the team, the Australia Legends are one of the most formidable teams in the tournament. They have advanced to the semifinals after a thrilling victory over India in the first season of the World Championship.

Brett Lee: Fast Bowlers Struggling to Master Yorkers, Except for BumrahLegendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has expressed concern over the lack of proficiency in executing yorkers among fast bowlers, with the exception of India's Jasprit Bumrah. Lee believes that mastering this crucial delivery is essential in the modern cricketing landscape, where high scores are becoming increasingly common."On a general rule, other than Bumrah, we haven't seen enough fast bowlers nailing their yorkers recently," Lee said at the launch of the Legends Intercontinental T20 league. "I want to see fast bowlers bowl more yorkers. I still don't reckon they execute enough yorkers at the death."Lee emphasized the effectiveness of yorkers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they have consistently proven to be economical, with an average strike rate of less than 100. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by innovative batsmen who can scoop the ball over the head."I'm all for batters smoking the ball all over, but there has got to be something for the bowlers too," Lee added. "I'm not asking for a green top, where teams bowled out for 110, because that's not good for cricket either."Lee believes that a good total in T20 cricket is around 185 to 230 runs, but recent scores have reached as high as 277. This makes it difficult for bowlers to contain the opposition, as they often concede 45 to 50 runs in their four overs.Regarding Australia's T20 World Cup squad, Lee believes that David Warner has earned the right to retire on his own terms. Despite the impressive performance of young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk in the IPL, the selectors have opted for the experienced Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh in the top order. McGurk has been named as a traveling reserve.Lee advised McGurk to be patient and not rush his career. "I think if you go over there as a reserve batsman, you definitely have a chance to get an opportunity," Lee said. "But the advice to him, and he articulated it beautifully to say that he's only 22 years of age (araam se araam se). He's got time. There's no point rushing it."