Cricket

India and South Africa Set for T20I Rematch with World Cup GrudgeThe upcoming T20I series between South Africa and India holds both a sense of unfinished business and a glimpse into the future. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, India snatched victory from South Africa's grasp, leaving the Proteas heartbroken.While many key players from that final will be absent, the series remains significant as both teams prepare for the next World Cup in 15 months. India, fresh off a 3-0 series win against Bangladesh, will look to continue their aggressive approach. South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back from their recent struggles.Form Guide and Key PlayersSouth Africa's form has been inconsistent, with losses to West Indies and a draw against Ireland. Aiden Markram, who has struggled for runs this year, will be under pressure to deliver. India, meanwhile, has been in impressive form, posting a massive 297 for 6 in their last T20I. Tilak Varma, who has yet to make a significant impact at the international level, will be eager to prove his worth.Team News and DebutsSouth Africa may hand debuts to allrounder Andile Simelane and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter. India is likely to give batting allrounder Ramandeep Singh his T20I cap and recall Axar Patel.Pitch and ConditionsThe match will be played at Kingsmead in Durban, a high-scoring venue with an average first-innings total of 184. However, rain could disrupt the proceedings, with a 40% chance of precipitation.Stats and Trivia* India has a strong head-to-head record against South Africa in South Africa, with six wins and three losses in nine T20Is.* Suryakumar Yadav has the highest strike rate (169.48) among players with at least 1000 T20I runs.* Arshdeep Singh is India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is this year, with 28 scalps in 14 games.* Heinrich Klaasen has three half-centuries and a strike rate of 168.09 in nine T20I innings against India.Quotes"It has been a testing few months now... But you lock into the bigger picture, you lock into how much it is going to help cricket in South Africa moving forward," said Aiden Markram on South Africa's recent struggles."It has always been challenging playing against South Africa... Hopefully, we will have a game [tomorrow]; last time we missed out on the game here," said Suryakumar Yadav on facing South Africa for the first time since the T20 World Cup final.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has embarked on a new chapter in his career off the field, announcing a partnership with Sporting Beyond. This move marks a significant shift for Kohli, who has been a dominant force in the cricketing world for over a decade.Sporting Beyond, a global sports marketing and management company, shares Kohli's values of transparency, integrity, and a passion for sports. The partnership will encompass all of Kohli's business interests, including endorsements, brand collaborations, and personal ventures.Kohli's decision to join Sporting Beyond comes amidst a challenging period on the field. Despite achieving historic milestones, he has faced inconsistent form and a drop in his ICC Test rankings. However, his experience and aggressive style remain crucial for India's success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a highly anticipated series that holds significant importance in the context of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals. Kohli's leadership and batting prowess will be vital for India's chances of securing a place in the finals.Kohli's partnership with Sporting Beyond is expected to provide him with a fresh perspective and support as he navigates the challenges ahead. The company's expertise in sports marketing and management will enable Kohli to maximize his brand value and pursue his business interests effectively.As Kohli embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on him to reignite his form and lead India's batting charge against Australia. His experience, determination, and unwavering passion for the game make him a formidable force, and his partnership with Sporting Beyond could prove to be a game-changer in his illustrious career.

In the recently concluded three-Test series against New Zealand, India's senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli endured underwhelming performances, scoring only 91 and 93 runs respectively. This has raised concerns ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed optimism about the experienced pair, urging them to focus and enjoy their game. "They're among the best. Sometimes, it's about focusing a bit more. I'd just tell them to go out there, enjoy, and express themselves," Dev said.India's humiliating 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand marked the first time they had been clean-swept in a three-Test series on home soil. New Zealand also became the first team in 12 years to clinch a Test series in India.Despite this setback, Dev believes Indian cricket is in a good place overall. "When there's an issue, it's crucial to rectify it quickly. We're proud of our spinners, our batsmen, and our bowlers," he said.India has previously claimed consecutive series victories in Australia, under Virat Kohli in 2018-19 and Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. With Rohit Sharma now at the helm, India aims for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil."The rough patch has passed. Now, let's focus on the positives, and I hope they play well," Dev added.The Test series against Australia will feature five matches, with the opening Test in Perth followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide, a match at The Gabba in Brisbane, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the final Test in Sydney.

James Anderson, England's legendary pace bowler, has surprised the cricketing world by registering for the upcoming IPL mega auction. The 42-year-old, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year as the most successful fast bowler in the format, has set a base price of Rs 1.25 crore for the auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.Anderson's decision to enter the IPL auction is driven by his desire to enhance his knowledge of the game and gain experience as a coach. Despite never having played in the IPL or a T20 match since 2014, Anderson believes he has more to offer as a player and is eager to learn from the world's best T20 league."There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player," Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast.Anderson's illustrious Test career spanned 188 matches, during which he claimed 704 wickets, placing him third on the all-time wicket-takers list behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. His exceptional skill and longevity have earned him the nickname 'Burnley Express.'While Anderson acknowledges that his playing days are numbered, he is keen to continue his involvement in cricket in a coaching capacity. He has already gained some experience mentoring the England team and believes that playing in the IPL will further enhance his knowledge and expertise."I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it," he said. "I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line."Anderson's decision to enter the IPL auction has sparked speculation about which teams might be interested in acquiring his services. His experience and skill could prove invaluable to any franchise looking to bolster their bowling attack.

James Anderson Registers for IPL Auction to Enhance Knowledge and Coaching SkillsEngland's legendary pace bowler James Anderson has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The 42-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this year as the most successful fast bowler in Test history, is seeking to expand his knowledge and experience in the world's biggest T20 league.Anderson, known as the "Burnley Express," has never played a T20 match in the IPL. His last T20 appearance was for his county side Lancashire in August 2014, while his final T20 international for England came in November 2009. Despite his lack of IPL experience, Anderson believes he has much to offer as a player and coach."There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player," Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast.Anderson's primary motivation for joining the IPL is to enhance his knowledge as a bowler and gain valuable experience as a coach. He has already begun mentoring young England players and believes that the IPL will provide him with a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the world."I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it," he said. "I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line."Anderson's decision to register for the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, but it is a testament to his unwavering passion for the game. Despite his age, he remains one of the most respected and experienced bowlers in the world. His presence in the IPL could prove invaluable for any team that acquires his services.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has predicted a 3-1 triumph for the Baggy Greens. Ponting's prediction stems from India's recent series defeat to New Zealand and the absence of key pacer Mohammed Shami due to injury.Ponting believes that Shami's absence will make it challenging for India to claim the 20 wickets required to win a Test match in Australia. "Taking 20 wickets in a Test match for India is going to be the biggest challenge," Ponting said. "I think they'll bat well enough out here with the current group of batters that they've got."Despite acknowledging that India may sneak in a win at some point in the five-match series, Ponting remains confident in his overall prediction. "I think India will win a Test match somewhere through the five Test matches," he said. "But I still think now, Australia probably look a bit more settled, a bit more experienced and we know that they're a very hard team to beat at home."Regarding the potential top-scorer in the series, Ponting identified Steve Smith and Rishabh Pant as the frontrunners. He believes that Smith's move back to No.4 in the batting order increases his chances of success, while Pant's form and ability to bat in the middle order make him a formidable contender.Among the bowlers, Ponting backed Josh Hazlewood to top the wickets chart. He cited Hazlewood's current form and consistency as the reasons for his prediction. "I think Hazlewood out of the Australian quicks, is right at the moment, is probably at the peak of his powers more than the other guys," Ponting said.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is a crucial ICC World Test Championship series that could determine the potential finalists of the WTC cycle. With Australia and India currently at the top of the table, the outcome of this series will have a significant impact on the race to the final.

Arshdeep Singh Eyes 100-Wicket Milestone as India Prepares for South Africa T20I SeriesIndian seamer Arshdeep Singh is poised to make history as India embarks on a four-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against South Africa. With 87 wickets from 56 matches, Arshdeep is just 13 wickets away from becoming the first Indian to capture 100 wickets in T20Is.Currently, Yuzvendra Chahal holds the Indian record for most wickets in T20Is, with 96 scalps from 80 matches. However, Arshdeep's impressive economy rate of 8.28 suggests that he could surpass Chahal's tally in the upcoming series.Interestingly, India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also on the cusp of reaching the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is. Pandya has claimed 87 wickets in 105 matches, boasting an economy rate of 8.17.The India-South Africa T20I series will commence on November 8 at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. The second match will be played at St George's Park in Gqeberha on November 10, followed by the third match at SuperSport Park in Centurion on November 13. The series will conclude with the fourth T20I at Wanderers Stadium on November 15.India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes:* Suryakumar Yadav (C)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (WK)* Rinku Singh* Tilak Varma* Jitesh Sharma (WK)* Hardik Pandya* Axar Patel* Ramandeep Singh* Varun Chakaravarthy* Ravi Bishnoi* Arshdeep Singh* Vijaykumar Vyshak* Avesh Khan* Yash Dayal

As India embarks on a transitional phase in T20 cricket, a group of promising second-line stars are eager to seize their opportunity in the upcoming four-match series against South Africa. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, and Varun Chakravarthy are among those hoping to establish themselves as first-choice players in the format.Samson, who has impressed as an opener in recent matches, will be keen to solidify his claim for a regular spot at the top of the order. Abhishek Sharma, known for his explosive batting, will aim to showcase his consistency and versatility with both bat and ball. Varma, after a promising start to his T20I career, will be eager to regain his form and prove his worth.Jitesh Sharma, who has slipped down the pecking order, will be determined to make an impact with his wicketkeeping and batting skills. Chakravarthy, who impressed against Bangladesh, will look to maintain his momentum and establish himself as a reliable spinner.The series also provides an opportunity for a new-look pace bowling unit, comprising Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Yash Dayal, to prove their mettle. While Arshdeep and Avesh have had their moments at the international level, Vijaykumar and Dayal will be eager to translate their domestic and IPL success into the international arena.Ramandeep Singh, who was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders after a productive IPL season, will be keen to replicate his all-round abilities. The senior players in the side, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel, will be hoping for a strong outing to help India bounce back from their recent home series defeat against New Zealand.South Africa, on the other hand, will be seeking revenge after losing to India in the T20 World Cup final in June. The Proteas will be led by Aiden Markram and will feature a mix of experienced and emerging players.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth due to personal reasons. Speculation suggests that Sharma's absence stems from the impending birth of his second child.Former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Sharma to return as a player only if he misses the first Test and rejoins the squad later in the series. Gavaskar believes that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah should lead the team throughout the series.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch disagrees with Gavaskar's stance. Finch believes that Sharma should retain his captaincy even if he misses the first or second Test due to family commitments. He emphasized the importance of supporting players during such significant life events.In the previous tour of Australia, then-captain Virat Kohli took paternity leave after the first Test in Adelaide. Ajinkya Rahane led the team to a remarkable turnaround, winning the series 2-1.India's goal in this series is to win four Tests to secure a direct berth in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June 2025. The team's performance in Australia will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the final.