Cricket

Jimmy Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to make a remarkable return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the age of 43. Despite not playing T20 cricket for over a decade, Anderson's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have earned him a spot in the upcoming season.Anderson's journey to the IPL is a testament to his enduring passion for the sport. Unlike the great West Indies fast bowlers, he lacked the raw ferocity but compensated with remarkable control over swing, even in challenging Indian conditions. His ability to generate reverse swing, which he learned from Zaheer Khan, further enhanced his effectiveness.Anderson's return to the IPL is not merely a nostalgic gesture. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique perspective that can inspire and guide younger players. His presence in the dressing room will foster a culture of excellence and a relentless pursuit of perfection.Anderson's signing is reminiscent of Shane Warne's impact on the inaugural Rajasthan Royals team. Warne's leadership, mentorship, and on-field brilliance transformed the team and had a profound influence on the format itself. Anderson has the potential to play a similar role, inspiring a new generation of cricketers and leaving an enduring legacy on the IPL.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Anderson is known for his obsessive dedication to the sport. He continues to play for his club Burnley and envisions himself playing pickup games in the park and bowling to his grandchildren in the future. This unwavering passion is a testament to his love for the game and his desire to share it with others.Anderson's return to the IPL is a reminder that age is just a number for true athletes. His determination to continue playing at the highest level is an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve greatness. As he prepares to don the IPL jersey once again, Anderson embodies the spirit of a true sportsman, driven by an unyielding passion for the game.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's bowling spearhead and vice-captain, has emerged as a formidable force ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. His exceptional skills and ability to excel in diverse conditions have made him a key player for India.Bumrah's unique bowling style, characterized by a short run-up and an awkward stiff-arm delivery stride, has left Australian batters in awe. His ability to generate significant pace from a short run-up, combined with his control over line, length, and swing, makes him a formidable opponent.Australian batters have expressed their admiration for Bumrah's bowling prowess. Travis Head described him as "impossible" to face, while Usman Khawaja compared him to Mitchell Johnson due to his awkward action and the deceptive pace he generates. Steve Smith acknowledged the difficulty of facing Bumrah's deliveries, particularly in the initial stages of an innings.Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson explained how Bumrah's unique release point and coordination allow him to generate so much pace. He also highlighted Bumrah's ability to swing the ball both ways at speed, making him even more unpredictable.Marnus Labuschagne, the top-scorer in the last BGT played in Australia, praised Bumrah's ability to control his pace and swing, as well as his use of the bouncer. He emphasized that Bumrah's exceptional skills have made him one of the best bowlers in India.Bumrah's leadership will be crucial for India in the first Test of the BGT, as designated skipper Rohit Sharma will be unavailable due to personal reasons. His experience and ability to inspire his teammates will be vital in India's quest to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana fast bowler, unleashed a devastating spell on Thursday, claiming all eight wickets to fall in his side's Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium.Kamboj, known for his restless energy on the field, channeled his intensity into his bowling, hustling the Kerala batters with his pace and accuracy. The 23-year-old started the day with three wickets and added five more, leaving the Kerala batting order in tatters."Yesterday we bowled a little too outside the off stump. We could have had more wickets, considering the way the ball was moving. So, today I bowled a little straighter so that the batter plays every ball," said Kamboj after the day's play.With Kerala down to its last two wickets, Kamboj now has a glorious chance to enter the history books. Only two players have ever achieved the feat of taking all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings – Bengal's Premangsu Chatterjee in 1957 and Rajasthan's Pradeep Sunderam in 1985.Kamboj is candid enough to admit that the possibility of a ten-wicket-haul entices him. "Since such a situation [ten wickets] doesn't come very often, I will try to get two more wickets. But if the team is getting the wickets, I am equally happy," said Kamboj with a nervous smile.Kamboj's performance has not only put Haryana in a commanding position in the match but has also brought him into the limelight. The young fast bowler has been making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive pace and wicket-taking ability.If Kamboj can complete the ten-wicket-haul, he will not only etch his name in the history books but also boost his chances of a call-up to the Indian national team. The Indian team is currently in search of a young and talented fast bowler who can provide them with the cutting edge in international cricket.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, taking four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy.Shami, who last played in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad in 2024, had raised concerns about his fitness after going wicketless in ten overs on the opening day. However, he dispelled those doubts with a superb performance on the second day, helping Bengal take a commanding lead.Despite being advised to tread cautiously, Shami bowled with intensity and accuracy, troubling the Madhya Pradesh batsmen with his trademark swing and seam. He bowled a total of 19 overs, taking four wickets for 54 runs.Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar praised Shami's determination to return to the field. "He has proven how desperate he was to return to the field," Majumdar said. "It didn't seem to me that he was returning from an injury."Shami's performance has raised hopes that he will be fit for India's upcoming tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy is the only competitive red-ball cricket Shami will play before the tour, so his performance in Indore will be closely monitored by the national selectors.If Shami can maintain his fitness and form, he will be a valuable asset to the Indian team in Australia. His experience and skill will be crucial in the challenging conditions Down Under.

James Anderson, England's legendary pacer, has expressed his unwavering support for Jofra Archer, suggesting that the speedster could play a pivotal role in England's quest to reclaim the Ashes in Australia in 2025/26.Archer, who has faced a challenging spell with injuries, has only played white-ball cricket since recovering from a persistent elbow injury and hasn't featured in a Test match since February 2021. However, Anderson sees the pacer as essential to England's Ashes campaign, if he's willing and physically able to take on the demands of the red-ball game."If we can keep him fit, the Ashes is a definite opportunity," Anderson told The Guardian. "The only worry is whether the injuries have scared him away from Test cricket and he thinks: 'Can my body cope?' But if Jofra works hard enough, and he's managed well, he would be huge for us in the Ashes."England's current focus on building a formidable pace attack has also contributed to Anderson's own retirement from international cricket, as the team prepares a roster of quicks fit for Australian conditions.Beyond Archer, Anderson highlighted England's promising crop of fast bowlers, including Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts, all of whom could be vital contributors to England's attack in 2025/26.Among the new generation of bowlers, Anderson praised Surrey's Gus Atkinson, who debuted in the same match Anderson bowed out against the West Indies. Atkinson's impact was immediate, with 12 wickets in the series, including a stunning seven-wicket haul in the first innings. Anderson noted that Atkinson, who has now accumulated 40 wickets in eight Tests, has "got it all.""I think we've got enough experience with Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Archer potentially, and then the guys that are coming in," Anderson said. "Gus Atkinson has done really well, so have Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts. They're getting experience all the time and if they've got 12 Tests under their belts that's great. It doesn't have to be 50 Tests.""He has got it all. Pace, skill and he picks up things really quickly. I've worked with him a little bit and he'll say, 'right, I want to learn an in-swinger' and within 12 balls he'll have it. That's a great trait. He's got amazing ability and a great temperament."

Xavier Bartlett's return to the Australian cricket scene is a welcome sight for the national hierarchy, who are looking to bolster their fast bowling depth ahead of the grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Bartlett, who has been sidelined since September due to a side strain, is set to make his comeback in the T20I series opener against Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday.Bartlett's impressive performances in last season's BBL, where he was the leading wicket-taker and played a pivotal role in Brisbane Heat's title triumph, have put him on the radar of the selectors. His ability to generate late swing with the new ball, thanks to his immaculate upright seam positioning, makes him a valuable asset.With Australia's frontline quicks, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, facing the challenge of five Tests against India within seven weeks, the hierarchy is keen to build depth behind them. Bartlett's return provides a much-needed option, especially considering the recent fitness issues with fringe quicks like Michael Neser, Lance Morris, and Jhye Richardson.Bartlett, who has taken four-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs against West Indies and has an impressive average of 17.66 in T20Is, is eager to seize the opportunity. "Going forward there will be opportunities. Personally, the goal is always to try and play Test cricket for Australia," he said.Bartlett will be part of a second-string Australian team that will aim to salvage some pride after their surprise ODI series defeat to Pakistan. The batters struggled against Pakistan's pace attack, and Bartlett believes that Australia can learn from their opponents. "They have been amazing, the last two games they only used four bowlers," he said. "Hopefully we can emulate that."Bartlett is set to share the new ball with left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, a partnership that proved successful for the Heat during their title run. While the Gabba surface is known for its pace and bounce, Bartlett is confident that it will make for entertaining cricket.While Bartlett's performances in the T20I series could see him move up the pecking order of fringe Test bowlers, his Heat teammate Nathan McSweeney will make his debut in the first Test after being named as Usman Khawaja's opening partner. Bartlett expressed his excitement for McSweeney, saying, "To see his journey from when we were about 11 or 12 [years of age] to where he is now, making his Test debut, it's unbelievable."

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, has expressed his desire to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite retiring from international cricket earlier this year. Anderson, who holds the record for the most Test wickets by a pacer, has registered for the IPL auction scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah.The 42-year-old Anderson, who currently serves as England's bowling coach, has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crore. Notably, Anderson has never played in any global T20 franchise league.Anderson's decision to enter the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, given his age and lack of recent T20 experience. However, the veteran pacer believes he still has the skills and fitness to compete at the highest level."I feel like I've still got something to offer in T20 cricket," Anderson said. "I've been bowling well in the nets and I'm confident I can still perform at the highest level."Anderson's entry into the IPL auction adds another dimension to the upcoming event. The IPL is the most lucrative T20 league in the world, and Anderson's presence will undoubtedly attract interest from franchises.However, Anderson's former teammate and England's Test captain Ben Stokes has not registered for the auction. Stokes, who is considered one of the best all-rounders in the world, has opted to focus on his international commitments.In total, 1574 players have registered for the IPL auction, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations. The 10 franchises have already announced their retained players, and the remaining 204 slots will be filled at the two-day auction.

Mitchell Starc's electrifying performance in the first ODI against Pakistan has reignited the excitement surrounding the Australian paceman. After a stellar Sheffield Shield performance, Starc's blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy left both opponents and observers in awe.On a lively MCG pitch, Starc tormented the Pakistani openers, beating them for pace and leaving them in his wake. He then proceeded to demolish the tail, lighting up the stumps with a thunderous delivery. His three maidens in the match marked a return to his dominant form.Starc's resurgence is a welcome sight for Australian cricket, especially after a challenging World Cup campaign last year. The physical issues that plagued him then seem to have subsided, as evidenced by his uninhibited training session at the MCG."I feel like the body is in a good space," Starc said. "I'm not really tweaking anything, but just focusing on a few things technically."The 32-year-old confirmed his participation in the next ODI in Adelaide but remained noncommittal about the Perth match. Josh Hazlewood is expected to join the squad for the second game, while a decision on Hazlewood's availability for both matches in Adelaide and Perth will be made later.Starc's return to form is a timely boost for Australia as they prepare for the upcoming Test series against India. His ability to generate pace and swing will be crucial in the challenging conditions of the subcontinent.

Harshit Rana, a rising star in Indian cricket, has made significant strides in his career, earning a spot in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. With his impressive pace, bounce, and ability to swing the ball both ways, Rana has caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.Rana's journey to the national team began with his standout performance for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2023 season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker. His ability to bowl under pressure and deliver crucial overs in T20 cricket showcased his maturity and skill.The IPL success paved the way for Rana's inclusion in India's white-ball squads. He has since featured regularly in the team, gaining valuable experience and honing his craft. Recently, he was selected in the 18-member contingent for the five-Test tour of Australia, a testament to his growing stature in the Indian setup.Rana's selection for the Test team is a culmination of his hard work and dedication. He has spent time with the Test team as a traveling reserve, observing and learning from senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. This experience has helped him prepare for the challenges of Test cricket, where consistency and accuracy are paramount.In addition to his bowling prowess, Rana is also a fiery competitor, known for his aggressive approach on the field. He is not afraid to engage in verbal exchanges with batters, adding an element of intensity to his performances.Rana's rise to prominence has been supported by the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, who served as KKR's mentor during the IPL and is now India's head coach. Gambhir has been a vocal advocate for Rana, recognizing his potential and providing him with valuable advice.As Rana prepares for his Test debut in Australia, he is excited about the opportunity to showcase his skills on the world stage. He is confident in his abilities and eager to contribute to India's success. With his talent, determination, and the support of his team, Rana is poised to make a significant impact on Indian cricket in the years to come.