Cricket

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has expressed his relief at not having to bowl to veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pujara has been a thorn in Australia's side in recent years, amassing 792 runs at an average of 56.57 in his last two Test series Down Under."I'm pretty happy that Puj isn't here (smiles)," Hazlewood said to reporters ahead of the opening Test in Perth. "He's obviously one that bats time, makes you really earn his wicket every time, has done really well in Australia on all these tours."Pujara's absence is a significant boost for Australia, who have struggled to dismiss him in the past. In the 2018-19 series, he scored three centuries and averaged 74.42, while in the 2020-21 tour, he scored 271 runs with three half-centuries.Hazlewood also acknowledged the depth of India's batting lineup, despite Pujara's absence. "There's always young, fresh guys coming into the Indian team that they're under so much pressure to perform in the Indian team with with so many guys nipping at their heels all the time," he said. "Whoever they pick in that XI, they're unbelievable players. It doesn't really matter who they pick, they're all great players."Another challenge for India going into the first Test is the absence of Shubman Gill, who fractured his left thumb during a match simulation over the weekend. Gill is ruled out of the first Test, and his availability for the rest of the series is uncertain."Anytime you disrupt the top-six it's a bit of an issue," Hazlewood said. "But as I said the amount of talent in the Indian squad is quite unbelievable, the depth is phenomenal, better than any other country in the world. So whoever comes in has earned their stripes and no doubt will do well."

Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has outlined his team's strategy to wear down India's bowlers by playing the "long game." Labuschagne, who was the highest run-getter in the 2020-21 BGT series, believes that by batting for extended periods, Australia can put pressure on the Indian bowlers and force them to bowl longer spells.This approach is similar to the one employed by Indian veteran Cheteshwar Pujara in the past two tours of Australia. Pujara's stubbornness and solid defense provided a wall-like protection for other batters, allowing them to attack the bowlers who would eventually tire.Labuschagne believes that Australia's batting lineup can exploit the relative inexperience of India's pace attack, which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who will be supported by newer stars like Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy."We understand that getting them back for their second and third spells, putting them under pressure and letting them come to us and us putting pressure back on them through overs in the field and time in the game, especially over a five-Test series, that is really important," said Labuschagne.Labuschagne has also hinted that he could be a valuable addition to Australia's bowling attack, having delivered medium pace during the Sheffield Shield season and practice sessions. With 13 Test wickets and 84 first-class scalps, he could provide some relief to the workload of skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by the day-night Test in Adelaide from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, while the traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

India's Test woes continued as they suffered a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. The Rohit Sharma-led side's batting woes were exposed once again, with their struggles against spin bowling becoming a major concern.Former cricketers and fans alike have called for the return of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to the national side. Both players have enjoyed success in Australia, and their experience and solidity could provide much-needed stability to the Indian batting line-up.Pujara has scored 602 runs in his last 20 innings before being dropped, averaging 33.4 with four fifties and a hundred. Rahane, on the other hand, has amassed 808 runs in his last 20 innings, averaging 42.5 with nine fifties and a hundred.In contrast, Rohit Sharma has scored 550 runs in his last 20 innings, averaging 28.9 with two fifties and two hundreds. Virat Kohli has scored 823 runs in his last 20 innings, but his average drops below 29 if his 186-run knock is removed.Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar has called for introspection and urged the team management to stop "needless experimentation" in the Test format. He also emphasized the need for better pitches.Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh echoed Tendulkar's sentiments, calling for a review of the team's performance and a focus on playing on more challenging surfaces.India's defeat marks the first time they have been whitewashed 0-3 at home. The loss has raised serious questions about the team's preparation, shot selection, and match practice.

The upcoming India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked much anticipation, with the squad announcement revealing both expected and surprising inclusions. While the Rohit Sharma-led side boasts debutants Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the absence of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has raised eyebrows.Pujara, known for his resilience and ability to anchor the Indian batting line-up, has been a key figure in India's recent Test series victories against Australia. However, he was overlooked for the upcoming tour, prompting speculation about his future in the national team.In a recent social media post, Pujara shared a video of his training session, accompanied by the caption "Sore today, strong tomorrow." The post has garnered significant attention, with fans expressing their support and urging the selectors to reconsider their decision.Former India batsman Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial role in India's back-to-back series wins in Australia, believes Pujara's absence will be a significant loss. "Pujara will be a big miss. He was the backbone of the batting line-up in the last two series for Team India," Vihari said.Vihari highlighted Pujara's ability to absorb pressure, bat for extended periods, and provide stability to the batting order. He questioned who would fill that role in the current Indian team, which features a more attacking batting line-up.Despite the absence of Pujara, India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes a mix of experienced and promising players. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Other notable inclusions include Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravichandran Ashwin.The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both India and Australia aiming to assert their dominance in Test cricket. India will be looking to extend their winning streak against Australia, while the visitors will be determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Virat Kohli's recent form has raised concerns among cricket experts, particularly ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite his impressive record against the Aussies, Kohli has struggled in recent matches, failing to score a century in his last 10 innings.Former BCCI selection committee chief MSK Prasad expressed his concern, stating that India will miss the stability provided by Cheteshwar Pujara in Australia. Prasad highlighted the complementary roles played by Kohli and Pujara in the 2018 series, with Kohli providing aggression and Pujara anchoring the innings.Kohli's poor form is a cause for concern, especially considering India's World Test Championship qualification chances. The team needs to perform well in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to secure a place in the final.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's success in Australia. His ability to score runs consistently and inspire his teammates is essential for the team's chances of victory.In addition to Kohli's form, the article also discusses the importance of Pujara's role in the Indian batting lineup. Pujara's ability to occupy the crease and grind out runs provides a solid foundation for the team.The article concludes by emphasizing the need for Kohli to regain his form and for India to find a way to replace Pujara's contributions in Australia.

India's Test Woes Continue as Pujara's Absence Looms LargeIndia's recent Test series defeat to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team's batting lineup, particularly the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Pujara's steady influence is sorely missed, as the current lineup lacks the ability to grind out sessions and withstand pressure.Pujara, known for his patient and defensive style of play, has often been a backbone for India in difficult conditions. His ability to hold the crease and absorb pressure has allowed other batsmen to play more freely. However, in his absence, the Indian lineup has struggled to cope with the New Zealand bowlers.Chopra highlights the team's shift towards an aggressive approach, questioning whether it is the right strategy for Test cricket. He argues that Pujara's defensive style, while often criticized as slow or unglamorous, played a crucial role in holding the team together during difficult sessions."It will happen repeatedly in Test cricket that you will be asked to play a session where a wicket shouldn't fall. You need to keep your head down and defend. There is a battle of attrition at times," Chopra said. "Cheteshwar Pujara's defensive cricket, that brand of cricket which is non-glamorous, hard-working, staying at the wicket from morning to evening, we are missing that brand of cricket, and we are repeatedly seeing the result of that in collapses."Chopra also emphasizes the benefits of Pujara's presence even when he is not scoring heavily. His ability to occupy the crease and delay the game allows the bowlers to tire and the ball to soften, creating opportunities for other batsmen to score runs."You need a guy to stand there to stop collapses even if the scoreboard moves or not. He keeps delaying the game. The bowlers get tired and the ball gets old and soft, and the others score runs. India are of course missing that game style of Pujara," Chopra added.The absence of Pujara has left a significant void in the Indian batting lineup, and it remains to be seen how the team will address this issue in future Test matches.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batsman, is a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. His impressive performances on the last two tours Down Under have made him a valuable asset for the Indian team.In the 2018-19 series, Pujara emerged as the leading run-getter with 521 runs off 1258 balls. His resilience and ability to wear down the opposition attack were crucial in India's success. Three years later, he once again played a pivotal role, accumulating 271 runs off 928 balls.Pujara's experience and ability to face a large number of deliveries could prove invaluable in the upcoming series. He has faced more balls than any other player in the two teams, tiring out the Australian bowlers comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.Despite not playing for India since the World Test Championship final in June 2022, Pujara has maintained his form. In the recent Ranji Trophy round, he scored a mammoth 234 off 383 balls against Chattisgarh.While Pujara's inclusion seems likely, the selectors may also consider other options. Nitish Reddy, who impressed in the Bangladesh series, has been picked in the India A squad for the shadow tour of Australia. Shardul Thakur, with his experience and all-rounder abilities, could also be in contention.In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are likely to be included in the Test squad. Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal are also in the mix, while Mohammed Shami's fitness remains a concern.The Indian team will be hoping to continue their dominance in Australia, having won the series on their last two tours. Pujara's experience and resilience could play a key role in their quest for another historic victory.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to unveil India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia on October 28. The inclusion of veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is a strong possibility, given his impressive performances during India's previous two tours Down Under.Pujara, 36, has amassed 521 runs in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy and 271 runs in the subsequent tour. His experience of 103 Tests and his ability to anchor the innings on bouncy Australian tracks could prove invaluable for India.Pujara's current form also supports his case for selection. He recently scored a mammoth 234 against Chattisgarh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.According to reports, Nitish Reddy will not be included in the T20I squad for the South Africa series. Instead, he has been named in the India A squad as part of the BCCI's plan to develop him as a seam-up all-rounder.The selection of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will depend on his fitness and availability. India captain Rohit Sharma has indicated that they will not risk fielding an "undercooked" Shami in Australia.Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are expected to be automatic choices for the fast bowling department. Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal are likely to be included as backup seamers.The BCCI is also considering sending India A to Australia for an intra-squad match with Team India ahead of the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. This move aims to provide the Indian players with valuable experience on Australian conditions.

Ahead of the Indian cricket team's crucial Tour of Australia, the recent loss to New Zealand at home has sparked concerns about the team's composition. One player who is likely to be omitted from the touring party is veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara.Pujara, known for his resilience and ability to grind out runs, has a proven track record in Australia. However, he has been overlooked for international matches since June 2023. Despite his absence, Pujara has continued to excel in domestic cricket, recently surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 65 first-class centuries.Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed his admiration for Pujara, acknowledging his ability to outlast opponents. Cummins also highlighted the growing rivalry between India and Australia, comparing it to the iconic Ashes series."It's going to be a shame that he (Pujara) is not there, but I'm sure they'll pick someone else who's in a similar kind of style," Cummins said. "It was always great playing (against) Pujara. He was one of those guys who never really felt like he was getting away from you. But then he would (just) bat, bat, bat and bat."Cummins also emphasized the significance of the India-Australia rivalry, stating that it is now on par with the Ashes. "I do think it is," he said. "Particularly, after the Indian team won the last couple of series at (our) home. We've had more success against England over the past decade. I think it's right up there."Pujara's absence from the Tour of Australia will be a significant loss for India. His experience and ability to anchor the innings would have been invaluable in the challenging conditions Down Under. However, the team management will have to make a decision based on current form and the need to inject fresh blood into the squad.