Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, asserting that they remain "incredibly hungry" to perform and will bounce back in Australia.Gambhir's comments come amidst concerns over India's recent 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. However, the coach dismissed theories that he is under pressure, stating that he is honored to lead the Indian team."There are incredible people in the dressing room who have done a great job," Gambhir said. "I am not feeling the heat. It's an honor and privilege to coach the Indian team."Gambhir emphasized that the team is not undergoing a transition but is focused on the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. He acknowledged the presence of "incredibly tough characters" in the dressing room who are eager to prove themselves.Regarding the series-opening Perth Test, Gambhir confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah, as the designated vice-captain, will lead the side if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for personal reasons. He also mentioned that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are options for the opener's slot.Gambhir's unwavering support for Sharma and Kohli is significant, given their recent struggles with form. Sharma has not scored a century in over a year, while Kohli has not reached the three-figure mark in international cricket since November 2019.However, Gambhir believes that both players have the experience and determination to overcome their challenges. He pointed out that they have been through similar situations in the past and have always emerged stronger."They are still incredibly hungry to perform," Gambhir said. "They are not going to give up. They are going to keep fighting and keep trying to get better."India's tour of Australia will be a major test for the team, especially after their disappointing performance against New Zealand. However, Gambhir's confidence in his players suggests that they are ready to face the challenge head-on.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly defended star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting had expressed concerns about the form of both players, who have struggled with the bat in recent times.Gambhir dismissed Ponting's comments, stating that they have no relevance to Indian cricket. He emphasized the importance of hunger and determination within the team, and praised Kohli and Sharma as "incredibly tough men."Kohli has endured a difficult 2024, with only two international fifties to his name. His struggles against spinners have been particularly evident in the 10 Test innings he played against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite India's 2-0 Test series victory over Bangladesh, Kohli managed only 99 runs at an average of 33.00. In the subsequent three-Test series against New Zealand, he scored just 93 runs at an average of 15.50, with only one score of 70.Rohit's poor form has also impacted his captaincy. In the four innings of the two Test matches against Bangladesh, he scored just 43 runs at an average of 10.50. Against New Zealand, he managed only 91 runs at an average of 15.16, with his highest score being 52.India's upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be crucial for both Kohli and Rohit. Kohli will be eager to rediscover his form in red-ball cricket, while Rohit will be looking to improve his captaincy and lead India to victory.India need to win four Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the World Test Championships final, which will be held at Lord's in June 2025.

England's Jos Buttler unleashed a blistering 83 off 45 balls to power his team to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20I in Barbados. The victory gives England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Buttler's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed eight fours and six sixes to leave the West Indies bowlers helpless. The skipper's exceptional batting display earned him the well-deserved "Man of the Match" award.England's chase got off to a shaky start when Phil Salt was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. However, Buttler's arrival at the crease injected immediate momentum into the innings. The Windies bowling attack, missing key players like Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell, struggled to contain Buttler's onslaught.Debutant seamer Terrance Hinds, in particular, had a challenging introduction to international cricket, facing the brunt of Buttler's aggression. Buttler seemed destined for his second T20I century, but after being dropped by Sherfane Rutherford in the 13th over, he was caught out on the very next ball, attempting another big shot.Will Jacks provided solid support to Buttler during their 129-run partnership for the second wicket. Jacks contributed 38 runs off 29 balls, hitting five fours and one six, before falling to Romario Shepherd.Earlier, the West Indies innings were bolstered by Rovman Powell's knock of 43 off 41 balls and Romario Shepherd's quickfire 22 off 12 balls. Liam Livingstone was the pick of the England bowlers, finishing with figures of two for 16.England's dominant performance puts them in a strong position to secure a series victory in the remaining three matches, which will be played in St. Lucia, starting next Thursday. The victory also offers England a chance to avenge their 2-1 defeat to the West Indies in the preceding ODI series.

Tristan Stubbs' unbeaten 47 guided South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at St George's Park in Gqeberha. The 22-year-old, who grew up in Knysna, admitted to being "proper nervous" but managed to control his breathing and shepherd his team home.Stubbs entered the crease with South Africa struggling at 33 for 2 in the sixth over. He watched as his side slipped to 66 for 6 in the 13th and 86 for 7 in the 16th. However, he found vital support from Gerald Coetzee, with whom he shared an unbroken 42-run stand for the ninth wicket off just 20 balls."Fortunately, the run rate never got away from us," Stubbs said. "Once we lost the wickets, I had 30 in mind off the last three and then G [Coetzee] really came and played an innings to help that out and then, fortunately, we got over the line."Stubbs praised the Indian spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who kept things tight and out-skilled the South African batters on a surface that was "typically staying low." However, he was pleased to stay till the end and take his side home."They both [Chakravarthy and Bishnoi] were doing just enough to beat you on either side," he said. "It wasn't easy to come in and just rotate even, let alone take them on. They are two of the best spinners in the world so when they are on, it's really tough and they got the better of us in the middle there by just outskilling us."Stubbs' performance has been a highlight of South Africa's recent resurgence in white-ball cricket. In February, he became just the 11th batter to score a first-class triple-century in South Africa. He has also racked up Test and ODI centuries in the last month and a bit.When asked about the maturity in his game, Stubbs said, "I don't actually know how to answer that. It's just been nice. I really enjoy the longer format because you can spend more time in the middle without feeling like you need to play a big ball and I really enjoy the graft of batting long.""I think the longer form cricket just naturally helps your T20 game and the batsmanship and spending time in the middle and not having to make a play really helps the rest of the formats. So I think that's been the biggest thing."

Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer, has taken over as the bowling coach of the Indian Test team. His primary objective is to maintain the stability of the team's bowling unit, which has been a key factor in India's recent success in Test cricket.Morkel's appointment comes at a crucial time for India, as they prepare for a challenging five-Test series against Australia. The Indian pace attack has been severely handicapped by the absence of Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from heel surgery. Without Shami's experience and skill, India will need to rely heavily on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the uncapped quartet of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.Morkel's task is to ensure that these young bowlers are ready for the rigors of Test cricket in Australia. He will need to help them adjust to the different conditions, particularly the extra bounce and pace of Australian pitches. Morkel's own experience of bowling in Australia will be invaluable in this regard.In addition to technical guidance, Morkel will also need to provide mental support to his bowlers. The pressure of playing in Australia can be immense, and Morkel will need to help his charges stay focused and confident.Morkel's appointment has been met with optimism by the Indian cricket fraternity. He is widely respected as a bowling coach, and his experience and knowledge will be a valuable asset to the Indian team.

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the team's batting struggles after their three-wicket victory over India in the second ODI. He emphasized the importance of sticking to their game plan despite setbacks.In the post-match presentation, Markram praised the team's bowling performance, highlighting the execution of their plans. However, he acknowledged the batting's shortcomings, stating, "Sometimes it does not work out and we need to take it on the chin."Markram expressed pride in the contributions of Andile Simlalane and Nqabayomzi Peter, who played crucial roles in the victory. He emphasized the need to focus on each game individually, saying, "We won this game to level the series."The four-match series is now tied at 1-1. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, restricting India to 124/6 in 20 overs. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were instrumental in containing the Indian batters, each taking one wicket in their four-over spells.In the run-chase, India initially dominated, reducing South Africa to 87/6. However, Tristan Stubbs and Coetzee launched a counter-attack, guiding the team to victory with an over and three wickets remaining. Stubbs was named 'Player of the Match' for his unbeaten 47.Markram emphasized the team's commitment to their brand of cricket, despite the batting challenges. He said, "We are going to stick to our brand of cricket."

In a thrilling encounter at St George's Park, South Africa fought back valiantly to level the four-match T20I series against India 1-1. Despite a brilliant five-wicket haul from Varun Chakravarthy, the Proteas chased down a modest target of 125 with three wickets to spare.India's innings started promisingly, but they soon found themselves in trouble. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 15/3. Axar Patel and Tilak Varma provided some stability, but regular wickets prevented India from building momentum. Hardik Pandya's late surge (39 not out) offered some hope, but India could only muster 124/6 in their allotted 20 overs.South Africa's reply got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Ryan Rickelton, while Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks fell to Chakravarthy. However, Tristan Stubbs remained unyielding at the crease, striking crucial boundaries and keeping his side in the hunt.Despite a mid-innings wobble, South Africa stayed composed. Gerald Coetzee provided valuable support as the Proteas reached the target with just three wickets down. Chakravarthy's heroic performance couldn't save India, as South Africa leveled the series with a thrilling chase.The match showcased the resilience and determination of both teams. South Africa's ability to chase down a modest target under pressure was impressive, while India's bowling attack, led by Chakravarthy, showed their class. With two matches remaining in the series, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage and secure the series victory.

Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, has once again demonstrated her exceptional character both on and off the field. During the ongoing Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Perry took time out of her busy schedule to make a young fan's day.The heartwarming moment occurred when Perry, who plays for the Sydney Sixers, noticed a young fan wearing a shirt with her name and number. Instead of simply acknowledging the fan, Perry approached the child and engaged in a playful interaction.Perry began by bowling a couple of under-arm balls to the young fan, who eagerly held the bat. The fan's excitement was evident as they swung at the balls with enthusiasm. Perry then gave the fan a high-five, further cementing the special moment.The interaction culminated in Perry taking the fan into her arms, creating a lasting memory for the young cricket enthusiast. The wholesome moment was witnessed by several people, including many young children who were inspired by Perry's kindness and humility.Perry's gesture highlights her dedication to connecting with her fans and promoting the sport of cricket. As one of the most popular female cricketers in the world, Perry understands the importance of inspiring young athletes and fostering a love for the game.Beyond her on-field accomplishments, Perry is also a multi-talented sportsperson. She has represented Australia in both cricket and football, showcasing her exceptional athleticism and versatility. Perry's achievements in both sports have made her a role model for young girls and women around the world.Currently, Perry is the top run-scorer of WBBL 2024, having slammed 315 runs in six games at a strike-rate of more than 150. Her impressive performance has helped the Sydney Sixers remain competitive in the league, despite their current position outside the top four.Perry's contributions to cricket and her unwavering commitment to inspiring young athletes make her a true ambassador for the sport. Her actions both on and off the field serve as a reminder of the power of sports to bring people together and create lasting memories.

James Anderson, the legendary English pacer, has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This marks the first time Anderson has entered the IPL auction, and his decision has sparked speculation about which franchise might be interested in acquiring his services.Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has set a base price of Rs 1.25 crore for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. However, Anderson has not played a T20 game since 2014, raising questions about whether any franchise will be willing to invest in him.Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be a potential destination for Anderson. CSK has a history of valuing new ball bowlers who offer swing, and Anderson's experience and skill in this area could make him an attractive option for the franchise."You mention James Anderson, I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai Super Kings. You heard it here first. They are a team that like someone who can swing it in the first few overs. They had a swinger, be it Shardul Thakur. It would not surprise me if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai," Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire Podcast.Anderson himself has expressed his desire to continue playing cricket after retiring from Test cricket. "That's the whole point of going in the auction, I think, I want to play cricket again. Whether I get picked up or not is a different matter. There's definitely a feeling inside of me that I've got more to offer, in some shape or form," Anderson said on Sky Sports."So, however long down the line that might be, in whatever capacity that might be I'm not sure yet. But I'm really keen to play. I feel really fit, I've been bowling still, ticking over, so I feel like I'm in a good place and I'd love to have an opportunity to play somewhere," he added.It remains to be seen whether any IPL franchise will be willing to take a chance on Anderson, given his lack of recent T20 experience. However, his reputation as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time could make him an attractive proposition for teams looking to bolster their bowling attack.