Cricket

The uncertainty surrounding Team India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year continues to linger. Reports indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament.BCCI has reportedly expressed its preference for playing its matches in Dubai, a more neutral venue. However, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has denied receiving any formal communication from BCCI regarding this matter.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not set a deadline for declaring the tournament fixtures, but typically announces these details at least three months in advance. BCCI had previously delayed announcing the ODI World Cup fixtures last year due to PCB's objection to playing in Ahmedabad.As per standard practice, BCCI must obtain clearance from the Indian government before making any decision on the team's travel to Pakistan. A BCCI source confirmed that the board's stance remains unchanged and that it will not make any decision without government approval.The recent visit of India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, to Pakistan had raised hopes that India might agree to play in Pakistan. However, it is understood that BCCI has consulted with the Indian team management and decided on Dubai as the preferred venue.PCB had previously agreed to a hybrid model for the Asia Cup in 2023, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan also agreed to play India in Ahmedabad during the ODI World Cup.If BCCI's stance remains unchanged, PCB may have to escalate the matter to the ICC, where BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who will assume the role of ICC chairman on December 1, will have to make a decision.Sources indicate that BCCI wants a decision on this issue before Shah takes charge as ICC chairman. If PCB agrees to the hybrid model, it will be interesting to see which venue the ICC suggests for the final.PCB had reportedly proposed the idea of the Indian team setting up a base in Chandigarh and traveling to Lahore only on match days. However, this idea is considered logistically challenging.

Heavy rain has hindered Kerala's pursuit of an outright victory and boosted Uttar Pradesh's chances of salvaging a draw in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C encounter at the KCA-St. Xavier's College ground.After conceding a massive 233-run first innings lead, Uttar Pradesh was 66 for two when a drizzle forced the players off the field half an hour into the post-lunch session. The drizzle intensified into a heavy downpour with thunder and lightning, leading the umpires to call off play at 2.30 p.m.UP lost its captain, Aryan Juyal, and Priyam Garg in the second innings, and was in a spot of bother before the skies opened up.Earlier, Mohammed Azharuddeen attacked the Uttar Pradesh bowling, striking four crisp boundaries as Kerala sought quick runs. Salman Nizar (93, 202b, 9x4, 3x6) struggled with his timing and was also affected by a hamstring injury, forcing him to leave the field for treatment. Basil Thampi's stay was brief, lasting only two deliveries before Saurabh Kumar trapped him in front.Aaqib Khan's delivery struck K.M. Asif on the helmet, forcing him to retire hurt. Salman returned to continue his innings. He nudged Saurabh Kumar to fine leg and ran three, which aggravated his injury.Azharuddeen, who had been batting fluently up to that point, lost his composure and top-edged a hook off Aaqib, which was well caught by Aryan behind the stumps.Salman smashed Saurabh for a maximum over long leg but was dismissed while attempting to play another big shot off Aaqib Khan in the following over.

Mumbai's bold strategy of fielding only four specialist bowlers in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Odisha paid off handsomely as the bowling quartet delivered a dominant performance, putting Mumbai on the cusp of earning a bonus point.On Friday, the bowling group led by left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and Himanshu Singh restricted Odisha to 285 in their first innings, adding only 139 runs to their overnight tally. Mulani, who returned with a six-wicket haul, ran through the visitor's lower order, while Himanshu chipped in with three wickets.After skipper Ajinkya Rahane enforced the follow-on, the spin duo of Mulani and Himanshu continued to torment Odisha, reducing them to 126 for five at stumps. Had Aashirwad Swain not edged Himanshu to Rahane in the slips off the last ball of the day, Odisha may have hoped to bat out the final day.The quartet, especially Mulani and Himanshu, toiled tirelessly on day three. Of the 87.3 overs bowled, they accounted for 57.3 overs and shared nine of the 10 wickets that fell.Despite being tonked for three sixes in two overs in the morning session, including one that helped Sandeep Pattanaik celebrate his fifth First-Class hundred, Mulani made a strong comeback. Once Pattanaik played onto the stumps, the left-arm spinner raced to his 15th five-wicket haul.If substitute wicketkeeper Sidhaant Addhatrao, who donned the gloves for an unwell Hardik Tamore, had not dropped a thick edge off Debabrata Pradhan's blade to deprive Shardul Thakur a wicket early on, Mumbai would have fancied their chances of wrapping up the game with a day to spare.

India's remarkable 12-year winning streak on home soil came to an abrupt end with a clean sweep by New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series. This unprecedented defeat has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity and raised questions about the team's future.The streak, which began in 2013, saw India dominate visiting teams at home, winning 42 and losing just four of 53 Tests. This dominance was built on a formidable spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who exploited the turning tracks prepared for home matches.However, the New Zealand series exposed some weaknesses in India's approach. The pitches, which were once considered fortresses for the spinners, failed to provide the same level of assistance, allowing the Kiwi batters to score freely. Additionally, India's batting lineup, which had been the backbone of their success, struggled against the disciplined bowling of the visitors.The defeat has raised concerns about the transition that India is facing. Ashwin and Jadeja, both in their late 30s, are nearing the end of their careers. The team's search for their successors has not yet yielded promising results. Similarly, the batting lineup, which has relied heavily on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, needs to find new stars to carry the mantle.The New Zealand series has served as a wake-up call for India. The team must now reassess its strategies and identify the areas that need improvement. The transition to a new generation of players will be challenging, but it is essential for India to maintain its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

India's T20I dominance continued as they outplayed South Africa by 61 runs in the series opener in Durban. Sanju Samson's record-breaking century and a clinical bowling performance laid the foundation for India's comprehensive victory.Chasing a formidable target of 203, South Africa's batting faltered from the outset. Skipper Aiden Markram's early dismissal set the tone for a shaky start. Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi wreaked havoc on the Proteas' middle order, claiming key wickets at regular intervals.Samson's blistering knock of 107 off 50 balls, featuring 10 towering sixes and seven fours, propelled India to a competitive total. His innings equaled Rohit Sharma's record for the most sixes in a T20I innings by an Indian player.Despite losing wickets towards the end, India's lower order held firm to cross the 200-run mark. Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav provided valuable contributions, while Tilak Varma added a quickfire 33.South Africa's response was marred by poor shot selection and a lack of partnerships. Gerald Coetzee's brief resistance of 23 off 11 balls proved futile as India's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game.Bishnoi's three-wicket haul and Chakaravarthy's economical spell of 3/25 stifled South Africa's chase. The Proteas were eventually bowled out for 141 in 17.5 overs, handing India a commanding 1-0 lead in the four-match series.Samson's record-breaking century and India's clinical bowling performance set the stage for a dominant display in the remaining matches. The victory extends India's impressive run in T20I cricket and bodes well for their chances in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Ahead of the highly anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, the Indian men's cricket team management held a crucial meeting with the BCCI hierarchy. Captain Rohit Sharma, selection panel chairman Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir (via teleconferencing), BCCI president Roger Binny, and secretary Jay Shah were present at the meeting held at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai.While the meeting was initially scheduled to take place during the Pune Test, it was postponed due to the BCCI office-bearers' inability to travel. However, the timing of the meeting has raised eyebrows, coming on the heels of India's humiliating 0-3 series whitewash at home against New Zealand. The series loss has also put India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship in jeopardy.Sources close to the team management have indicated that the meeting focused primarily on charting out a roadmap for the upcoming tour rather than dwelling on the New Zealand series debacle. With Shah set to take over as the ICC Chair on December 1, this meeting may be his last with the team management in his current capacity.The Indian squad will depart for Perth in two batches, on November 10 and 11. The first Test commences on November 22. The team management is under immense pressure to turn things around after the New Zealand series, which saw India revert to the rank-turner policy. While the policy backfired, it has put additional pressure on Gambhir and Rohit, who have had a forgettable 2024 with the willow in Tests.Despite the recent setbacks, the Indian team remains confident of putting up a strong fight against Australia. The team boasts a wealth of experience and talent, including the likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, they will need to adapt quickly to the Australian conditions and find a way to counter the formidable Australian bowling attack.

Offspinner Amar Virdi's departure from Surrey marks the end of an era for the county, as the 26-year-old departs after a decade-long association with the club. Virdi's release comes as a surprise, given his impressive performances in Surrey's 2018 County Championship-winning season, where he claimed 39 wickets.Virdi's career trajectory has taken a downturn in recent years, with the offspinner falling out of favor with Surrey's management. The emergence of batting allrounders like Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence has limited Virdi's opportunities, despite his proven ability as a wicket-taker.In search of regular playing time, Virdi spent the latter part of the 2024 county season on loan at Worcestershire, where he impressed with 14 wickets in four matches. However, a permanent move to Worcestershire is unlikely, leaving Virdi's future uncertain.Virdi's departure is a significant loss for Surrey, who have relied heavily on his spin bowling in recent years. His ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch has been a key factor in Surrey's success, and his absence will be felt.For Virdi, the move away from Surrey presents an opportunity for a fresh start. The offspinner remains confident in his abilities and believes he has much to offer the game. With his experience and talent, Virdi is likely to attract interest from other counties looking to bolster their spin bowling options.

Virat Kohli, the beloved Indian cricket icon, was showered with love and admiration by his ardent fans at an event hosted by HSBC on November 7. The occasion marked a heartwarming celebration of Kohli's recent birthday, which fell on November 5.As Kohli graced the stage, the crowd erupted in a spontaneous rendition of "Happy Birthday," their voices echoing through the venue. The cricketer, visibly moved by the gesture, couldn't help but smile. Event host Gaurav Kapur, recognizing the special moment, reminded the audience of Kohli's birthday, prompting an even louder chorus of well wishes.Kohli's reaction to the outpouring of affection was a testament to his humility and genuine appreciation for his fans. He politely requested the crowd to stop singing, saying, "That's enough, thank you." However, the crowd's enthusiasm was infectious, and they continued to serenade him.The internet was abuzz with reactions to the heartwarming moment, with fans expressing their admiration for Kohli's down-to-earth nature. Many commented on his shy demeanor, which they found endearing.Kohli's birthday celebration came amidst a busy schedule for the Indian cricket team. The team is currently engaged in a Test series against New Zealand, with a subsequent series against Australia on the horizon. Kohli is expected to play a pivotal role in both series, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Despite a challenging year in Test cricket, Kohli remains determined to improve his performance. He will be eager to make a significant contribution to India's quest for a fifth consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory.Beyond the Test series, Kohli's focus will also shift to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. He has been retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for INR 21 crore, and rumors suggest that he may return as captain of the franchise.The IPL 2025 mega auction coincides with the dates of the first Test between India and Australia in Perth. Kohli will have to balance his commitments to the national team and his IPL franchise during this period.

South Africa's international home summer commenced with a thrilling encounter against India, with the hosts opting to chase in the first match. Aiden Markram, South Africa's captain, led a formidable lineup featuring a plethora of all-rounders.Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee made their long-awaited returns to the XI after recovering from injuries and conditioning blocks. Patrick Kruger, a T20 World Cup participant, retained his spot, while debutant Andile Simelane added another seam-bowling all-rounder to the mix.South Africa's bowling options were further bolstered by the presence of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, with Markram also capable of contributing with the ball. However, regular opening partner Reeza Hendricks was ruled out due to illness.India, on the other hand, opted for a spin-heavy approach, fielding two legspinners in Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, left-arm spinner Axar Patel, and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. Right-arm quick Avesh Khan completed the bowling attack, while uncapped all-rounder Ramandeep Singh missed out. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma provided additional spin options for India.The batting lineup was led by Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Yadav expressed his preference for batting first on a surface conducive to high-scoring. Despite overcast conditions, a strong breeze kept the pitch dry, promising an entertaining match for the sizable crowd.