Cricket

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep against India has been met with graciousness from the Indian team, with skipper Tom Latham acknowledging the quality of Rohit Sharma's side and their ability to bounce back.Latham, who led the Kiwis to become the first visiting team to whitewash India in a three-match home series, praised the Indian team's resilience and quality. "Indian cricket in general is really special. We've played against them a lot. The guys play with them at the IPL. They were certainly gracious in defeat and they're still a quality side," Latham said.The series victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, who had suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka before landing in India. "When we were in Sri Lanka a few weeks, where things didn't necessarily go our way, so, I think it makes these times extra special when you're able to achieve something that hasn't been achieved before," Latham said.Latham also highlighted the challenge that awaits New Zealand in their upcoming three-match series against England, who have adopted an aggressive "Bazball" approach to Test cricket. "I think it's an exciting one. I guess you look at the Test matches in the past against England, whether it be home or away, they've always tended to be reasonably exciting. So, I'm sure this series will be no different," Latham said."They've got an attacking brand that they like to play and I'm sure it will be no different in terms of how they like to approach it. So, yeah, we're looking forward to it. Yeah, it'll be a great challenge," he added.

Pakistan faces an uphill battle to keep the ODI series against Australia alive when they clash at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Despite a valiant effort in the first game, Pakistan fell short of an improbable victory and will need to regroup and find a way to overcome their poor record against the Aussies.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, impressed with their fiery pace and short-pitched tactics at the MCG. However, they will need to adjust their approach on the smaller Adelaide Oval, where boundaries are easier to come by. A disciplined line and length will be crucial against Australia's explosive batting lineup.Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to wrap up the series and give their Test stars a final hit-out before the upcoming series against India. Skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne will all be eager to make a statement before the red-ball battle.While Australia's batting was not entirely convincing in the first game, they will be confident of putting up a strong total on a ground that favors batsmen. Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will be vying for a spot in the XI, with Short having the edge after his recent performances against England.Pakistan's batting, on the other hand, struggled in the challenging conditions at the MCG. Babar Azam was the lone bright spot, showcasing his class with an elegant 37. He will be key to Pakistan's hopes of posting a competitive total.Josh Hazlewood is expected to return to the Australian lineup, replacing Sean Abbott. Pakistan may also consider playing a frontline spinner in Adelaide, given Naseem Shah's cramps in the first game.Despite its reputation as a batting paradise, the Adelaide Oval has been tough to bat on in recent times. However, the surface is usually flatter for white-ball cricket, and the short square boundaries will encourage aggressive batting.Pakistan will need to defy history and overcome their poor record against Australia to keep the series alive. They will need to find a way to contain Australia's explosive batting lineup while also posting a competitive total of their own.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory over India on Indian soil has been hailed as a testament to the Black Caps' resilience and determination. Skipper Tom Latham, while acknowledging India's formidable stature in world cricket, expressed his admiration for the team's unwavering spirit despite the defeat.The Black Caps' dominant whitewash, secured with wins in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, marked a significant milestone for visiting teams in India. Latham attributed the victory to his team's unwavering belief and ability to adapt to challenging conditions."We knew it was going to be a tough challenge, but we believed in ourselves and our abilities," Latham said. "We played to our strengths and adapted to the conditions, which was key to our success."Despite the historic feat, Latham emphasized that India remained a formidable force in world cricket. "Indian cricket is special, and the team is still a quality side," he said. "They have a lot of experience and talent, and I'm sure they'll bounce back."The victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, coming on the heels of a disappointing 0-2 Test series defeat against Sri Lanka. Latham acknowledged the contrasting fortunes, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities."When we were in Sri Lanka, things didn't go our way," Latham said. "But we learned from that experience and came back stronger. It makes this victory even more special, knowing that we've overcome adversity."Latham's comments reflect the mutual respect between the two cricketing nations. Despite the rivalry on the field, there is a deep appreciation for each other's skills and achievements.

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a prodigious batting talent, has faced a significant setback in his career, being dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad due to fitness concerns. However, amidst the adversity, he has received an unexpected source of support from former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell.In a heartfelt letter, Chappell expressed his belief in Shaw's potential and urged him to view this setback as a turning point. He reminded Shaw of the challenges faced by legendary cricketers like Don Bradman and himself, emphasizing that setbacks are an integral part of an athlete's journey.Chappell advised Shaw to focus on self-reflection and to prioritize process over results. He encouraged him to develop a strong mindset, stay present in the moment, and cultivate a disciplined lifestyle. He stressed the importance of surrounding himself with positive influences and seeking support when needed.Chappell acknowledged that Shaw's return to the Indian team would require a commitment to growth and change. He urged him to visualize his goals, take care of his physical and mental well-being, and embrace the challenges ahead.Chappell concluded his letter by expressing his unwavering belief in Shaw's abilities and offered his support. He emphasized that Shaw has the potential to reach his full potential and that he is not alone in his journey.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed concerns about the Indian cricket team's recent performances against New Zealand, attributing their struggles to a demanding schedule. Clarke believes that the team's mental fatigue is evident in their shot selection, bowling choices, and captain Rohit Sharma's admission of not being at his best.Despite these observations, Clarke remains optimistic about India's prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. He believes that key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, once well-rested, will lead the team to a strong performance.Meanwhile, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has disagreed with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar's views on India's captaincy. Gavaskar had suggested that in Rohit Sharma's absence, the team's vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, should captain India for the entire series to maintain continuity.Finch, however, believes that Rohit Sharma should remain the captain even if he misses the first Test or two due to personal reasons. He emphasized the importance of family moments and the need for Rohit to take the necessary time off.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series, consisting of five Test matches between India and Australia, is scheduled to commence on November 22. The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich history of rivalry.

England's bowlers toiled hard but West Indies openers Brandon King and Keacy Carty put on a solid partnership to keep their team in the hunt in the second T20I at Kensington Oval.King led the charge with a commanding half-century, reaching the milestone with a boundary off Adil Rashid in the 19th over. Carty provided able support, contributing valuable runs throughout the innings.The West Indies openers started cautiously, with King and Carty scoring singles and twos in the early overs. However, they gradually grew in confidence and began to take on the England bowlers.King was particularly impressive, showcasing his power and timing with a series of boundaries. He reached his fifty off just 34 deliveries, including six fours and a six. Carty, on the other hand, played a more measured innings, rotating the strike and finding gaps in the field.England's bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies duo, with Jofra Archer and Sam Curran proving expensive. Rashid provided some respite with his leg-spin, but King and Carty were able to negotiate his deliveries with relative ease.As the innings progressed, the West Indies openers began to take more risks. King smashed a six off Rashid in the 17th over, while Carty hit a boundary off Liam Livingstone in the 16th.The partnership was eventually broken in the 20th over when King was caught at deep mid-wicket off Archer for 56. However, Carty remained unbeaten on 33, ensuring that the West Indies finished on a strong note.The West Indies will be pleased with their start to the innings, but they will need to continue to build on this platform and set a challenging total for England to chase.

In the decisive third ODI of the series, West Indies captain Shai Hope opted to bowl first after winning the toss at Kensington Oval. Both teams were eager to secure a rare ODI series victory.West Indies made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph in place of Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph. Hope expressed uncertainty about the playing surface, stating, "We're not sure what we're going to get. Got to assess the conditions as a bowling group and put them under pressure."England also made two changes, with Reece Topley and Jamie Overton replacing John Turner and Saqib Mahmood. Overton, who has been playing as a specialist batter, was seen marking out his run-up before the toss. England captain Liam Livingstone echoed Hope's sentiments, saying he would have also chosen to bowl.West Indies had taken a 1-0 lead in the series with a rain-affected victory in the first ODI in Antigua. However, England bounced back in the second match, chasing down 329 at the same ground.Both teams have had limited bilateral ODI cricket in the past year. West Indies defeated England 2-1 in December, but subsequent series losses in Australia and Sri Lanka have hindered their progress in the rankings. England's last series win came against Ireland in September 2023.

India's recent series loss to New Zealand has served as a wake-up call for the team, according to 1983 World Cup winner Sandeep Patil. Patil urged the team to leave the past behind and focus on the upcoming Australia tour, where they will face unique challenges.Patil emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to the conditions in Australia, where the quality of the opposition and the nature of the pitches present significant hurdles. He believes that India's talented and resilient squad has the potential to bounce back from setbacks and achieve success in challenging conditions."They have to play against Australia in Australia, they will have to forget what happened there last time. They will also have to forget what happened in this series (against New Zealand) and look forward," Patil said.Patil drew parallels to India's historic World Cup victory in 1983, where the team overcame setbacks and played with a positive mindset. He believes that the current team can emulate that spirit and deliver a strong performance in Australia."We lost all practice games before winning the World Cup, so they should remember... you have to think positive and play positively only then you will get a positive result," he said.Patil acknowledged that the series loss to New Zealand was a wake-up call, but expressed confidence in India's ability to recover strongly. He pointed to the team's consistent pattern of resurgence after setbacks."After every defeat, you have always seen the Indian team bouncing back. Not because I am an Indian and we all are Indians, but they will bounce back because they are a very good side," he stated.Regarding the Perth pitch, Patil noted its evolution from its previous characteristics, whilst highlighting the generally favourable batting conditions in Australian grounds. He attributed the series loss against New Zealand to underwhelming batting performances rather than outright failure."We lost the series (against New Zealand) because the batting didn't do well. I will not use the word 'failed' because it is negative. We just did not do well in the batting department."Patil expressed confidence that the team would have analyzed their performance and made necessary adjustments. He believes that India has the potential to overcome recent setbacks and achieve success in Australia.

KL Rahul's batting performance in the upcoming second unofficial Test against Australia A will be closely scrutinized by the Indian national selection committee as he prepares to showcase his skills ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rahul, who was dropped midway through the home Tests against New Zealand, has been sent to the 'A' Test along with reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel to gain match practice before joining the senior team in Perth on January 11.The India A team will face a stern test against Australia A, which includes seasoned pacer Scott Boland. Boland's presence will provide a challenging environment for the Indian batters, including Rahul, who will likely bat at No. 5 or 6. Rahul's ability to handle quality fast bowling in bouncy conditions will be crucial, as he aims to prove his worth for a spot in the Test series.During the practice session at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rahul looked in good touch. With Abhimanyu Easwaran and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expected to open, Rahul's batting position will be similar to what it would be in the Indian Test XI.The Indian selectors believe that Rahul's experience and success in overseas conditions, including centuries at Lord's, Oval, Sydney, and Centurion, make him a more suitable choice than domestic doyen Sarfaraz Khan, despite Khan's impressive 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru.The India A team will make four changes to the squad that played the first 'unofficial Test' at Mackay, which they lost by seven wickets. Rahul will replace Baba Indrajith, while Jurel will take the place of Ishan Kishan. Navdeep Saini will make way for left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, and off-spinner all-rounder Tanush Kotian will replace slow left-arm orthodox Manav Suthar.