Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, is set to make his return to domestic cricket in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's premier T20 tournament. Pandya will join his brother, Krunal Pandya, who will captain the Baroda team.Baroda finished as runners-up in last year's edition of the tournament and will be looking to go one step further this time around. They have been placed in Group B alongside Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Saurashtra, Karnataka, and Sikkim.Under Krunal Pandya's leadership, Baroda has made a strong start to the domestic season. They currently top the standings in Group A of the Elite Division, with four wins and a loss from five matches.Hardik Pandya last played for India in the T20I series against South Africa, where he had modest returns of 59 runs and two wickets. He will be hoping to regain his form and fitness ahead of the upcoming international assignments.The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will get underway on November 23rd, and the final will be played on December 11th.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles on the international stage have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping Rs 21 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Kohli's performances in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand have been far from impressive.In the two-match series, Kohli managed scores of 0, 70, 1, 17, 4, and 1, leading to a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking. He has now slipped down eight places to 22nd, his lowest ranking in over a decade.Kohli's poor form has sparked speculation about his future with the Indian team. Some experts believe that he should consider playing domestic cricket to regain his form, while others suggest that he may need to take a break from international cricket to reassess his game.Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his international career, Kohli recently posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting at a "new chapter" with a "new team." However, the post was later clarified to be related to his business interests, not his cricketing career.Despite the clarification, Kohli's social media post has raised questions about his commitment to the Indian team. Some fans have expressed concern that he may be considering retirement, while others believe that he is simply looking for a fresh start.The lack of domestic cricket has been cited as a contributing factor to Kohli's struggles. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that top players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma should participate in domestic tournaments to regain their form.Kaif pointed out that Rishabh Pant's century in a practice match during the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy helped him earn a place in the Test team and make a significant contribution to India's historic victory in Australia.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he needs to find a way to regain his form if he wants to continue playing at the highest level.

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, has once again emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for India's top batsmen, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In the wake of India's 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series, Manjrekar has reiterated his belief that Kohli and Sharma would have benefited from playing in the Indian domestic competitions.During the series, both Kohli and Sharma struggled against the New Zealand seamers and spinners. The seam-friendly surface in Bengaluru gave way to rank turners in Pune and Mumbai, exposing the Indian batsmen's vulnerabilities. Rohit, who has played 64 Tests in his career, scored just 91 runs across the three Tests, with a highest of 52 runs in Bengaluru. Kohli, with 118 Tests under his belt, fared no better, scoring just 93 runs across the six innings.Manjrekar believes that the selectors should not rest well-rested players like Kohli and Sharma simply because of their stature. He argues that both players would have only benefited from playing in the Duleep Trophy at the start of the season. Across the home season, which included two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand, Rohit scored 133 runs and Kohli mustered 192 runs.Manjrekar has consistently urged the selectors and the two stalwarts of Indian cricket to play in the Duleep Trophy competition to prepare for the home season and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In August, he wrote on X, "India has played 249 international matches in the last 5 years. Rohit has played only 59% of those. Virat 61 % & Bumrah 34%. I see them as well rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy."During the Bangladesh series, Manjrekar had commented, "... considering the amount of international matches Rohit and Virat played in the last five years, they could have been picked for the Duleep Trophy and I’m sure the time out there would have just held them at least in the first innings where they suddenly came out cold and having had to bat first," he had said on ESPNCricinfo.Kohli and Rohit will be under immense pressure going into the five-match Test series against Australia, which begins in Perth on November 22. Manjrekar's comments serve as a timely reminder of the importance of domestic cricket in preparing for international challenges.

In the era of modern cricket, workload management has become a crucial aspect of player longevity and performance. However, the recent decision by senior Indian players to skip the Duleep Trophy has raised questions about the balance between international commitments and domestic responsibilities.In 2007, despite a grueling Test tour of South Africa and an upcoming World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, and Sourav Ganguly prioritized the Ranji Trophy final for Mumbai. Within 48 hours, they were back in action for an ODI series against Sri Lanka.In contrast, senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja opted out of the Duleep Trophy despite a significant break after the T20 World Cup. This decision has sparked debate about the importance of domestic cricket for elite players.Former India opener Devang Gandhi believes that playing domestic cricket is essential for batters to regain form. He cites Tendulkar's double century in the Ranji Trophy semi-final and century in the final in 2000, just days after playing ODIs.Kohli and Rohit have played significantly fewer first-class matches than Tendulkar, with 32 and 61 games respectively. While workload management is crucial, Gandhi argues that one Duleep Trophy game could have been beneficial.Former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad acknowledges the increased volume of cricket but suggests making the Irani Cup mandatory for star players. He also advocates for a structured rotation policy to manage workloads.Another former selector, Jatin Paranjpe, emphasizes the need for clear expectations from stakeholders to avoid awkward situations. He suggests making it mandatory for Indian team members to play at least one or two domestic games before major Test series.The BCCI has emphasized the importance of big players participating in domestic engagements but allowed them to skip the Duleep Trophy. Prasad believes that scheduling home Test series in a way that allows for Ranji Trophy rounds to precede them could be a solution.

Baba Indrajith's journey to the India A squad has been a testament to perseverance and unwavering determination. After missing out on the U-19 World Cup squad 12 years ago, Indrajith toiled tirelessly in the domestic circuit, amassing runs for Tamil Nadu season after season. Despite consistent performances, the elusive India call-up remained elusive.However, Indrajith's patience and hard work finally paid off when he was named in the India A squad for the tour of Australia. The selection marked a significant milestone in his career, bringing him closer to his ultimate dream of representing India.Reflecting on his long journey, Indrajith acknowledged the desperation he felt to receive the call-up. "I was actually desperate to get this opportunity because being in the domestic circuit for so long, that expectation of getting the break would be there," he said.Indrajith's preparations for the Australia tour have been meticulous. He has sought guidance from his brother, Aparajith, who has extensive experience playing in Australia. Indrajith has also been working on his mental and physical fitness, recognizing the importance of adapting quickly to the different conditions Down Under.The support of his senior state-mates, Dinesh Karthik and R Ashwin, has been invaluable. Karthik has provided guidance on preparation and technique, while Ashwin has shared his vast experience and helped Indrajith develop confidence in facing world-class bowlers.Indrajith's family has also been a source of unwavering support. His parents and brother are overjoyed at his selection and eager for him to succeed. However, they also acknowledge the challenges he faces, having witnessed his struggles over the years.Despite the challenges, Indrajith remains focused on his goal. He understands that the Australia tour is just one step in his journey and that his ultimate dream of playing for India still lies ahead. With his determination and unwavering belief, Indrajith is poised to make the most of this opportunity and take his career to new heights.

Ishan Kishan, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, has been away from the Indian cricket team for the past eleven months. After a T20I against Australia in Guwahati, Kishan took a break from the national side to focus on domestic cricket.During his time away, Kishan has played in various domestic tournaments, including the DY Patil T20, Buchi Babu multi-day tournament, Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy. His impressive performances in the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy earned him a recall to the India A squad for the tour of Australia.Kishan credits his time away from the national team with helping him rediscover his hunger for the game. He spent a month in Baroda with Hardik Pandya, where he underwent a rigorous training regimen that included yoga, meditation, and early morning workouts."I had a reality check in Baroda about my hunger towards the game," Kishan said. "The process was just too good. It was like starting your life again, your cricket again."Kishan also received valuable advice from Pandya, who encouraged him to adopt a more practical mindset. "Hardik is a very practical guy," Kishan said. "He keeps sharing ideas with me. I am in a very practical zone right now."Despite the challenges he has faced, Kishan remains optimistic about his future. He is eager to return to the Indian team and make a significant contribution."I am very hungry to get an international match," Kishan said. "I know what happens in team meetings when someone makes a comeback to the team. How light banter happens and I am very excited about those things also. Whenever I get that opportunity, I am going to go all-in for sure."

India's batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have endured a disappointing run in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. Their struggles have raised concerns among fans ahead of the crucial tour of Australia.Kohli, who has been grappling with form in Test cricket for the past few years, has managed only 88 runs in four innings, with a solitary half-century. Rohit, the team's opening batsman, has fared slightly better with 62 runs, including a knock of 52.The duo's inconsistent form has contributed to India's consecutive defeats, handing New Zealand a historic 2-0 series lead. Their absence from the season-opening domestic red-ball tournament, the Duleep Trophy, has also drawn criticism.Former India spinner and selector Sunil Joshi has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for top players. He believes that playing in domestic tournaments helps batters improve their skills against spin bowling, a crucial aspect in Indian conditions."When will we see our top-order batters go back to play domestic cricket?" Joshi questioned. "If you don't play domestic cricket, you won't be able to play spinners."A comparison statistic on social media has highlighted the contrast between Kohli and Rohit's recent domestic appearances and that of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2013, the same year he retired from international cricket. Kohli's last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2012, while Rohit's was in the 2015-16 season.Fans have questioned why Kohli and Rohit cannot follow Tendulkar's example and participate in domestic cricket to prepare for international assignments. They argue that playing in domestic tournaments would help them regain form and improve their skills against spin bowling.As India gears up for the challenging tour of Australia, the performance of Kohli and Rohit will be crucial. Their ability to rediscover their form and contribute significantly to the team's success will be a key factor in determining India's chances of success Down Under.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of India's most promising young batters, continues to face a puzzling lack of opportunities in the national team. Despite consistently scoring runs in domestic cricket, Gaikwad has been overlooked for selection in all three formats.His absence from the recent Bangladesh T20I series raised eyebrows, with suggestions that the selectors were prioritizing his red-ball prospects. However, Gaikwad's name was also missing from the squad announced for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.This snub has sparked outrage from former Indian cricketer Krisnamachari Srikkanth, who criticized the selection committee for its treatment of Gaikwad. Srikkanth questioned the logic behind overlooking a player who has been one of the top performers in domestic cricket."I don't understand it at all," Srikkanth said. "He scored two first-class centuries, but still didn't get a chance. He got scores to back him up. Where should that guy be going now?"Srikkanth also pointed out that Abhimanyu Easwaran, another domestic stalwart, had been selected for the Australia tour despite not having the same level of recent form as Gaikwad."Abhimanyu Easwaran's performance has been brilliant. I'm not questioning that," Srikkanth said. "But what are you doing with Ruturaj? Why aren't they twirling around with him? What's the plan?"The selection committee has instead named Gaikwad as the captain of the India A squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. It remains to be seen whether a strong performance in the India A side will earn Gaikwad a recall to the senior team.

India's recent Test failures in Bengaluru and Pune have exposed a fundamental flaw in their batting approach: a lack of understanding of the grammar of Test match batting. The team's reliance on white-ball cricket, where explosiveness is prioritized over technique and patience, has left them ill-prepared for the rigors of Test cricket.The absence of key players from domestic first-class cricket has exacerbated this issue. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team's batting stalwarts, have not played a first-class game this season. While their reasons may be genuine, their lack of match practice has hindered their ability to hone their defensive techniques and increase their capacity to bat for extended periods.This lack of match readiness was evident in India's batting collapses in Bengaluru and Pune. The team's inability to read the pitch conditions and adjust their batting strategies accordingly led to their downfall. Rohit Sharma's incorrect assessment of the Bengaluru pitch and his decision to remove pacers from the game in Pune's second innings highlighted the team's tactical deficiencies.The Indian skipper's acknowledgment of the team's batting shortcomings is a positive sign. However, it remains to be seen whether the team can address these issues in time for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. The troika of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul is expected to provide stability to the batting lineup, but their recent form and manner of dismissals raise concerns.To their credit, Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have not shied away from acknowledging the team's shortcomings. They have emphasized the need for patience, technique, and the ability to handle pressure and bat out sessions consistently. This optimism is crucial for India's chances of success in Australia and qualification for the World Test Championship.