Cricket

Shubman Gill, the promising Indian opener, is determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming Test season. Despite his impressive performances in white-ball cricket, Gill acknowledges that his Test career has yet to reach its full potential.In preparation for the ten Test matches scheduled this season, Gill has focused on strengthening his defense against spinners. He believes that improving his ability to defend on turning tracks will allow him to play more scoring shots."I worked on my defense a little bit more against spinners. You should be able to defend a lot more when you are playing on a turning track against spinners, then you can play the scoring shots," Gill said.Gill's performance in the home series against England earlier this year was his most sustained in Test cricket to date. He amassed close to 500 runs, including a century and two half-centuries. He hopes to build on that performance in the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.The 24-year-old opener also spoke about his growth as a player and a person, attributing it to his experiences in the Indian team and his captaincy role with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL."Every match or tournament that you play, you look to learn more about yourself irrespective of whether you are captain or not the captain. More so because of the captain you will get to know about other players too. It's important for the captain to have a connect with the players," Gill said.Gill emphasized that his role as a batsman remains unchanged despite being part of the leadership group. He believes that his primary responsibility is to score runs for the team.The Duleep Trophy, which begins on Thursday, will provide Gill with an opportunity to adjust to the demands of red-ball cricket. He believes that the tournament will be a good competition, as he will be playing against some of his Indian teammates.Gill also revealed that India pacer Prasidh Krishna will not be available for the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to an injury.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan's participation in the Duleep Trophy opener on Thursday is uncertain due to a potential injury, according to Cricbuzz. Kishan is part of Team D, led by Shreyas Iyer, but his availability for the tournament remains unclear.If Kishan is unable to play, Sanju Samson is likely to replace him in the squad. Team D's second match is scheduled for September 12. The four-team competition will see each team play three matches.Kishan recently participated in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, where his team, Jharkhand, was eliminated in the league phase. He scored a century (115) and 41 not out in the first match, but managed only 1 and 5 in the second match.Kishan's absence from the Duleep Trophy would be a setback for his hopes of returning to the national squad. He was excluded from the list of centrally contracted BCCI players due to his absence from domestic cricket while not on national duty.To be eligible for selection in the Indian team again, Kishan must play domestic cricket. His inclusion in the Duleep Trophy was an indication that the BCCI was willing to soften its stance on him. However, this reported injury could hinder his progress.Notably, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is also injured and is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, nursing a hand injury.

Rishabh Pant, India's dynamic wicket-keeper batter, is gearing up for his red-ball comeback in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, commencing on September 5. The tournament will serve as a crucial platform for Pant to regain his form and prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.After recovering from a horrific car accident in December 2022, Pant has been working tirelessly to regain his fitness and skills. He recently shared a training video on Instagram, showcasing his customary shots and emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the game.Pant's return to the field is highly anticipated, especially considering his impressive record in red-ball cricket. Since his Test debut in 2018, he has amassed 2,271 runs in 33 matches, averaging 43.67 with a strike rate of over 73. His tally includes five centuries and 11 fifties, with a top score of 159*.In the Duleep Trophy, Pant will represent India B in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. As one of India's leading red-ball batters, Pant is expected to play a pivotal role in his team's success.Following the Duleep Trophy, Pant will turn his attention to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning on November 22. Pant has a remarkable record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62. His performances include a century and two half-centuries, with a career-best score of 159* against the Aussies.Pant's return to red-ball cricket is a significant development for Indian cricket. His aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly make him a valuable asset to the team. Fans and selectors alike will be eagerly monitoring his performance in the Duleep Trophy, as it will provide a glimpse into his readiness for the upcoming challenges.

Suryakumar Yadav Ruled Out of Duleep Trophy Opener Due to Hand InjuryIndian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been ruled out of the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to a hand injury. The setback comes as a blow to both the player and his team, India C, as they prepare to face India D in Ananthapur on September 5th.Yadav sustained the injury during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Coimbatore last week while representing Mumbai. He was forced to miss the final day's play against TNCA XI, unable to participate in the second innings.The exact nature and severity of the injury remain undisclosed, but BCCI sources have confirmed Yadav's unavailability for the Duleep Trophy opener. The batsman has reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation.Yadav's absence is a significant setback for India C, as he was expected to play a key role in their batting lineup. The team management will now need to reassess their strategy and potentially explore alternative options to fill the void left by the experienced batsman.The Duleep Trophy will proceed as scheduled, with India A and India B squaring off in the other opening-round match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match, alongside the fixture in Ananthapur, will be closely monitored by the selection committee as they finalize the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.As for Suryakumar Yadav, the focus now shifts to his recovery and a swift return to full fitness. The timeline for his return remains uncertain, and updates are expected following his assessment at the NCA.

The upcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy, commencing on September 5, 2024, marks the commencement of red-ball cricket in the domestic season. This prestigious tournament will witness the participation of India's top international stars and promising young talents.The tournament will feature the likes of Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Shubman Gill, who will be eager to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. However, notable absentees include Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who will miss the domestic tournament.Former India batter Suresh Raina has expressed his belief that the star players should have participated in the Duleep Trophy to gain valuable match practice ahead of the crucial Test series. Raina emphasized the importance of playing four-day cricket to acclimatize to the conditions and prepare for the challenges of Test cricket.India will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on September 19. Raina cautioned against underestimating Bangladesh, highlighting their strong bowling attack and experienced players. He believes this series will serve as a valuable warm-up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.The Legends League Cricket (LLC) will also take place in India and Qatar from September 11 to October 5, featuring former international stars.

Indian cricket team's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is facing a potential setback as he may miss the upcoming Duleep Trophy due to an injury concern. According to a report by Times Of India, Yadav has checked into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after suffering an injury to his right thumb during a match against TNCA XI on Thursday.The injury comes at an unfortunate time, with the Duleep Trophy scheduled to begin in less than a week. Yadav's absence would be a significant blow to the tournament, as he is one of the most in-form batters in the country.The injury also raises concerns for the Indian cricket team, who will be facing Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in September. Yadav has expressed his desire to earn a spot in the Test team, and his absence from the Duleep Trophy could hinder his chances.Yadav has played only one Test match for India, against Australia in February 2023, where he scored eight runs. However, he has an impressive record in first-class cricket, having scored 5,628 runs in 82 matches with an average of 43.62.With Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also vying for a spot in the Test team, Yadav acknowledges the challenge ahead of him. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again," Yadav said.The extent of Yadav's injury is not yet known, and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to participate in the Duleep Trophy or the Test series against Bangladesh.

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, is set to kick off the 2024/25 season on September 5. The tournament will feature many players from India's current Test team and those close to national selection, providing a crucial platform for selectors to assess their performances.The Duleep Trophy has undergone several format changes over the years, including a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new format features four teams, labeled A, B, C, and D, with the top two teams advancing to the final. This revamped format aims to provide bowlers with ample opportunities to showcase their skills ahead of India's busy Test schedule.According to former India's men's bowling coach Bharat Arun, the Duleep Trophy offers an ideal opportunity to assess bowlers before India plays ten Tests by January 7, 2025. "It provides an opportunity for all the cricketers to have enough number of overs under the belt. Also, it's a great process to see how they fare with the red ball," said Arun.The Duleep Trophy's format change coincides with a new structure for the Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic first-class cricket tournament. The Ranji Trophy will be split into two phases, with the first phase featuring five group matches. The second phase, including the last two group stage games and the knockouts, will commence after the Vijay Hazare Trophy ends on January 18, 2025.Arun believes that the new Ranji Trophy format will benefit players by providing them with more competitive matches against teams of equal strength. "It would work because you are playing more against teams that are equals rather than you pit it against someone who's well below the expected standards," said Arun.The Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy format changes aim to enhance the quality of domestic cricket in India and provide players with the best possible preparation for international competition. The tournaments will serve as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring cricketers to showcase their talents and earn a place in the national team.

With a packed Test schedule looming, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is diligently preparing to maintain his fitness. Exempted from the Duleep Trophy, Rohit has been engaging in rigorous workouts under the guidance of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.India's Test calendar includes 10 matches between September and January, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October. This will be followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand and a grueling five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.To ensure his readiness for this demanding schedule, Rohit has been focusing on his physical conditioning. Images circulating on social media show him running in a park and posing in a gym alongside Nayar and Dhawal Kulkarni.While most of India's Test regulars will participate in the Duleep Trophy, Rohit, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin have been exempted. Kohli has been spending time with his family in London during his break from cricket.Rohit's dedication to fitness is crucial for India's success in the upcoming Test season. His leadership and batting prowess will be vital as the team aims to perform well in the World Test Championship cycle and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav's hopes of a Test comeback have been dealt a blow after he suffered a hand injury while fielding for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but it is a significant concern for the hard-hitting batsman with the Duleep Trophy set to commence on September 5.Yadav, who has played only one Test for India, was eager to impress the selectors in the red-ball format. He had expressed his excitement about the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which would have given him a chance to stake his claim for a place in the Test team.However, his injury has cast a shadow over his plans. The injury occurred while he was fielding in Mumbai's match against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) XI. Mumbai could only manage 156 in reply to TNCA XI's 379, and now face a daunting target of 510 to win.Yadav is part of the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Team C squad in the Duleep Trophy. India's home season kicks off with the two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October. If Yadav's injury is serious, it could jeopardize his chances of making a comeback to the Test team.The injury is a setback for Yadav, who has been in excellent form in white-ball cricket. He was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies, and has also been impressive in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Yadav's injury is a reminder of the physical demands of cricket. Even the most talented players are susceptible to injuries, and it is important for them to manage their workload carefully. Yadav will be hoping that his injury is not serious, and that he will be able to recover in time for the Duleep Trophy and the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.