Cricket

In a thrilling series opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's Pat Cummins once again proved his mettle in a batting crisis, guiding the world champions to a tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan.Cummins, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup, displayed nerves of steel with a crucial knock of 32 from 31 balls. His innings pushed Australia past Pakistan's modest total of 203 with 16.3 overs to spare.The hosts were in a precarious position at 155 for seven when Cummins arrived at the crease. Pakistan, energized by a three-wicket burst from Haris Rauf, sensed an opportunity for their first ODI win in Australia in nearly eight years.However, Cummins, who also claimed two wickets with the ball, rose to the occasion. He smashed a four past Mohammad Hasnain to level the scores and then punched a single to seal the victory.Mitchell Starc, who took three wickets, was named man-of-the-match for his impressive bowling performance.Pakistan's top batter, Babar Azam, returned to the lineup after being dropped for the second and third tests against England. He made 37 before being dismissed by Adam Zampa.Debutant Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique failed to impress as openers, both falling cheaply to Starc. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 44, while Irfan Khan made 22.Tail-enders Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan provided some late resistance with their slogging, but it was not enough to prevent Australia from securing the win.Australia were without four players from their World Cup-winning team, including David Warner, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh.Openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to make a significant impact, while Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put on a brief partnership before falling to Pakistan's pacemen.Haris Rauf's spell, which included the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell, gave Pakistan hope. However, Cummins' heroics ultimately proved too much for the visitors.

Ravindra Jadeja's resurgence with the ball has come at an opportune moment for India, as they prepare for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The all-rounder's remarkable 10-wicket haul in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand has reignited hopes of a strong Indian performance Down Under.Prior to the Mumbai Test, Jadeja's wicket-taking prowess had waned, with only one five-wicket haul in his previous 26 innings. However, his spellbinding performance in Mumbai, where he spun a web around the Kiwi batsmen, has instilled confidence in the Indian camp.Jadeja's return to form is not limited to his bowling. He has also been a valuable contributor with the bat, amassing 431 runs in 2024 at an average of 28.73. His century and two fifties this year highlight his all-round abilities.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a stern test for India, but Jadeja's presence in the team provides a significant boost. His ability to take wickets and contribute with the bat makes him a crucial asset for the team.If Jadeja can replicate his Mumbai magic in Australia, India will be well-positioned to secure a series win and book a spot in the World Test Championship final. His experience, skill, and determination will be invaluable as India aims to conquer the Aussies on their home turf.

David Warner, the recently retired Australian opener, has expressed his concerns about the Indian batting lineup ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand has raised questions about their form, and Warner believes that the Australian bowlers could exploit their weaknesses."I'd be nervous if I'm in their batting order," Warner said to Fox Sports. "They've got three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and it's going to be a tough challenge for them."Warner highlighted the importance of India's top-order batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are all in the twilight of their careers. He believes that these players will be determined to perform well in Australia and finish their careers on a high note."They've got some older guys in their team who are in the back end of their careers," Warner said. "They'll want to come out here and score big runs, and I know they'll be so determined to do well."Warner also discussed the threat posed by Australia's pace attack, led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. He believes that the Australian bowlers have the potential to dominate the Indian batsmen, especially if they can get through the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."The Australian top order needs to make runs," Warner said. "If they can get through Bumrah and Siraj, there could be some big runs put on the board."Overall, Warner believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a closely contested series, but he gives Australia a slight edge due to their superior bowling attack.

India and South Africa, two cricketing powerhouses, are set to reignite their rivalry in a four-match T20I series in South Africa from November 8. The two teams last faced off in a thrilling T20 World Cup final in June, where India emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs.The T20I rivalry between India and South Africa has been a captivating spectacle, marked by competitive and high-stakes matches. Over the years, both teams have consistently delivered close, hard-fought contests, whether on South African soil or in India.India has a slight edge in the bilateral T20I series against South Africa, having won 6 out of 9 matches played in South Africa. However, the Proteas have shown their resilience on home soil, particularly in the T20 World Cup final.India's victory over South Africa in the 2007 T20 World Cup was a pivotal moment in the history of the format. India went on to win the inaugural championship, and the victory over South Africa was a key step in their triumph.David Miller, South Africa's prolific batsman, leads the run-scoring charts in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is with 452 runs in 21 matches. He is followed by Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have both retired from the shortest format of the game.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's medium-fast bowler, leads the charts when it comes to most wickets in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is. He has taken 14 wickets from 12 matches against South Africa in T20Is.Suryakumar Yadav, who is set to lead India in the upcoming series, has played two T20Is in South Africa, scoring 56 and 100 in December 2023. His century in the third T20I of the series powered India to a 106-run victory and helped them draw the series 1-1.The India-South Africa T20I rivalry has showcased the adaptability of both teams, with South Africa performing well on Indian pitches, which are generally slower, and India showing resilience on South African fast, bouncy tracks.The upcoming series promises to be another thrilling chapter in the India-South Africa T20I rivalry. With both teams boasting talented players and a history of close matches, fans can expect a captivating spectacle of cricket.

Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has raised suspicions about the India A team's involvement in the controversial ball change incident during their four-day match against Australia A. Healy believes that India A may have been attempting to manipulate the ball for reverse swing, which could have given them an advantage in the match.The incident occurred on day four of the match when umpires changed the ball due to a scratch. India A wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan expressed his disapproval of the decision, leading to a warning from the umpire. However, Cricket Australia later stated that the ball was changed due to deterioration and no action would be taken.Healy, however, remains skeptical. He believes that India A's complaints about the ball change and their subsequent refusal to attend a post-match press conference are suspicious. He also criticized India A's decision to skip an intra-squad game at the WACA in Perth and instead opt for center wicket stimulation practice.Healy believes that Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney should open the batting for Australia in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India. McSweeney scored 39 and 88 not out in the seven-wicket win over India A and has been in impressive form.Healy also expressed concern about India's preparation for the Test series, especially after their 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home. He believes that India should have played more competitive matches in the lead-up to the series.

New Zealand's historic Test series triumph over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Led by the astute captaincy of Tom Latham, the Kiwis achieved an unprecedented clean sweep, marking India's first-ever 0-3 series defeat at home.Latham's leadership proved pivotal in navigating the challenging tour of India, a team renowned for its home dominance. Despite New Zealand's limited success in India, Latham instilled a sense of calm and methodical approach, maintaining team morale throughout the series.The Kiwis' adaptability was a key factor in their success. Latham praised the contributions of various players, highlighting the team's ability to adjust to different conditions. The seamers excelled in Bangalore, while different batsmen stepped up at crucial moments.Ajaz Patel emerged as the player of the match in the third Test, claiming 11 wickets for 160 runs. Will Young, with 244 runs in the series, earned the player-of-the-series award.Latham acknowledged the inspiration drawn from the New Zealand women's team's T20 World Cup victory. He emphasized the importance of runs on the board, especially when chasing on tricky wickets.Despite a disappointing 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka prior to the India series, Latham remained confident in his team's abilities. He attributed their success to winning crucial tosses and posting competitive totals.New Zealand's historic triumph is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and the leadership of Tom Latham. It marks a significant milestone in the rivalry between the two cricketing giants.

Jos Buttler Bids Farewell to Rajasthan Royals After Seven Memorable SeasonsEnglish cricketer Jos Buttler has expressed his gratitude to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after not being retained ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Buttler, who played for the franchise for seven seasons, shared his reflections on social media."If it turns out that this is the end, thank you @rajasthanroyals and everyone involved with the franchise for 7 incredible seasons together. 2018 kickstarted the best years of my cricketing career, and many of my most cherished memories have come in a Pink shirt over the last 6 years," Buttler wrote on Instagram."Thank you for welcoming me and my family with open arms. Could write so much more, but let's leave it there."The Rajasthan Royals responded with a tribute, saying, "You will be one of the greatest ever to wear Pink. Forever a part of the Royals Family."Buttler's journey with the Royals began in 2018. He quickly became one of the team's most recognizable players, making significant contributions. In the 2024 season, he scored 359 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.78, including two centuries.Recently, Rajasthan Royals revealed their retained players for the IPL 2025 auction. The team retained key players like captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer. They have a limited purse of INR 41 crore for the auction and aim to make strategic signings.Buttler's exit leaves a gap in both leadership and performance for the Royals. His contributions have been notable and will be remembered by the franchise and fans.

India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team's performance, particularly the struggles of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri believes it's crucial for these players to step up in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Ghavri expressed disappointment with India's batting performance against New Zealand, highlighting the lack of big partnerships and the inability to post competitive totals. He emphasized the need for top-order batters to occupy the crease and score substantial runs.Regarding Rohit and Kohli, Ghavri acknowledged their class but stressed the need for them to regain form. He believes their performances in Australia will determine their future in Test cricket. "If they don't perform, it's time for them to call a time on their Test careers," he said.Ghavri also raised concerns about India's pace attack, particularly the absence of Mohammed Shami. He believes Shami's experience and skill would have been invaluable in Australia. The former pacer expressed confidence in Jasprit Bumrah but acknowledged the added pressure he will face leading the bowling unit.Ghavri suggested that India could consider bringing back Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, given their experience and stability in the middle order. He believes their presence would have been beneficial in Australia.Regarding India's struggles against spin, Ghavri attributed it to poor shot selection and a lack of patience. He emphasized the need for batters to adapt to Test conditions and play with discipline.Overall, Ghavri expressed concern about India's chances in Australia, predicting a 60-40 advantage for the hosts. He believes the team needs to perform well, especially Rohit and Kohli, to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently experiencing a temporary slump in form, urging fans not to overreact. Despite their disappointing performances in the recent Test series against New Zealand, Gavaskar emphasized that both players have faced challenging batting conditions and have been unlucky at times."Even the best players go through bad patches," Gavaskar told the Indian Express. "These weren't easy pitches to bat on in all three matches. Sometimes you need a bit of luck... But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you."Gavaskar also highlighted the importance of match practice for the Indian team, suggesting that the top batters should have participated in the Duleep Trophy prior to the New Zealand series. He noted that the New Zealand bowlers had a better understanding of the Indian pitches due to their experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."They should have had some practice, definitely," Gavaskar said. "It's a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it's going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand. But New Zealand obviously had the better attack."Despite the recent setbacks, Gavaskar remains optimistic about the Indian team's prospects. He believes that the players will have time to prepare for the upcoming tour of Australia and will be ready to perform at their best."India's Test stars now have a few days off before they start preparations for the Australia tour," Gavaskar said. "I'm sure they will be working hard to improve their form and get ready for the challenges ahead."