Cricket

India's Dominance in T20 Cricket: A Year of Triumphs2024 has been a remarkable year for the Indian cricket team in the T20 format. With an impressive record of 23 wins in 25 matches, India has showcased their dominance and embraced the attacking style of modern-day T20 cricket.Their success began with whitewashes against Afghanistan and Bangladesh at home, followed by a similar feat against Sri Lanka away. Even their second-string side triumphed in Zimbabwe with a 4-1 victory. However, the pinnacle of their achievements came with their undefeated run to lift the T20 World Cup in June.India's transformation in T20 cricket has been evident in their aggressive batting approach. They have shed their conservative mindset and now play with a fearless attitude, aiming to score big totals. This shift has paid dividends, as they have breached the 200-run mark eight times in 2024, the most by any team in a single year.In the upcoming T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg, India will be looking to end the year on a high note. They have already secured an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series and will be eager to maintain their winning streak.South Africa, on the other hand, has had a disappointing year in T20 cricket. Despite their unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup, they have struggled in bilateral series, with a winless streak of eight matches. However, they will be determined to avoid a 3-1 defeat and salvage some pride in the final match.

India's shock 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The loss, their first at home in nearly 12 years, has raised questions about India's preparation and mindset.Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes India underestimated New Zealand, a team they have traditionally dominated at home. "They went into the series thinking they'd whitewash the Kiwis," Lee said. "That's no disrespect to the Kiwis, but India are so powerful on home soil."Lee's comments highlight the complacency that may have crept into the Indian camp. India's recent home record has been impeccable, with their last Test series loss coming against England in 2012. This may have led them to believe that victory over New Zealand was a foregone conclusion.However, New Zealand's spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel proved to be India's undoing. The pair exploited the turning tracks, exposing the Indian batters' vulnerability against spin.Despite the setback, Lee believes India will be motivated heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "This is a great learning curve for all out there," he said. "They are going to come in strong."Lee also urged star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hit the "reset button." "When you have a couple of bad runs back-to-back, that's when the pressure could set in," he said. "They need to go back to the drawing board and work on their technique."India's defeat has put their hopes of reaching a third straight World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy. They now need to win the remaining two Tests against Australia to qualify for the final.

India's Young Guns Embark on Transformative Test Series in AustraliaIndia's upcoming Test series against Australia is poised to be a transformative experience for the team's younger members, who will be making their maiden appearances on Australian soil. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have emphasized the profound impact that a Test series in Australia can have on a player's development.For players like Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, this series will be a baptism of fire. They will have the opportunity to prove their mettle against one of the world's most formidable cricketing nations.Kohli, Ashwin, and Bumrah, who have all experienced the rigors of Test cricket in Australia, have shared their invaluable insights with the younger players. They have stressed the importance of embracing the challenges and learning from the experience."Gauti bhai (Gambhir) had a chat with the boys just before we started, we had some of the senior boys as well," said assistant coach Paras Mhambrey. "Booms (Bumrah), Virat, Ash (Ashwin) having a chat with the guys how first they came here as youngsters with a lot of seniors around and how they sort of felt that once you finish an Australia series you go back a better cricketer."Bowling coach Morne Morkel described the series as "a showpiece on the international calendar" and predicted that both teams would engage in intense competition."I think it's a showpiece on the international calendar since it's going to be teams that not going to give anybody an inch or a sniff and it is going to be hard-fought sessions," said Morkel.Since 2014-15, Australia has not been able to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India winning four consecutive series. India remains the only Asian nation to defeat Australia in a Test series on their home soil."It's become a big part of Indian cricket to come here and do well. It's obviously a very proud moment that India won here twice in the last two times as well as winning it in India," said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.The young Indian players are eager to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team's success. They will be tested to their limits, but the experience they gain will undoubtedly shape their careers.

Australia's Usman Khawaja has shared his insights on facing India's enigmatic fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, acknowledging the initial awkwardness of his unique action but emphasizing that it becomes more manageable with familiarity.Khawaja, who has faced 155 deliveries from Bumrah in seven Test innings, has managed to score 43 runs without being dismissed. He attributes this to adjusting to Bumrah's unconventional bowling style."Initially, it's his action that stands out," Khawaja explained. "It's different and bizarre, with his release point much higher than other bowlers. He seems to push the ball out further, making it appear faster than expected."However, Khawaja believes that once batters become accustomed to Bumrah's action, they can better anticipate his deliveries. "It's fine once you get used to it," he said. "I've played against him a lot, and while he can still dismiss me early, it's not as awkward as the first time."Despite the focus on Bumrah, Khawaja cautions against overlooking the rest of India's bowling attack. "They have a lot of other good bowlers," he said. "Mohammed Siraj is excellent against both right-handers and left-handers. Mohammed Shami is underrated, and they have quality spinners as well."Khawaja emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on Bumrah's threat but rather focusing on scoring runs against him. "I'm not thinking about where he's getting me out," he said. "I'm thinking about where I can score runs. That's what good batsmen do. If he misses, I'll capitalize; if he bowls well, I'll respect it."With Australia set to face India in a five-match Test series, Khawaja's experience against Bumrah will be invaluable. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Khawaja will be expected to play a key role as Australia's opening batsman.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the ongoing impasse surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, has been thrown into jeopardy after India's refusal to travel to the country due to diplomatic tensions.Despite India's long-standing stance of not touring Pakistan, the ICC failed to anticipate the potential conflict when it awarded the hosting rights to the PCB. According to Cricbuzz, an unnamed "key official" criticized the ICC for not being more proactive in addressing the issue.The official pointed out that India's absence from the Champions Trophy was not raised as a concern in any of the 12 ICC Board meetings held since the tournament schedule was announced. This suggests that the ICC may have been complacent in its oversight of the situation.The PCB has maintained its position that it will not agree to a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the Asia Cup last year where India's matches were played in Sri Lanka. The PCB insists that security is not an issue in Pakistan, citing the successful hosting of England and New Zealand recently.The ICC has yet to respond to the PCB's request for written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan. The governing body is reportedly discussing the schedule with participating teams, but no decision has been made.The PCB has also indicated that it is not willing to host the tournament outside of Pakistan, including in the UAE. This stance further complicates the situation, as the ICC may struggle to find an alternative venue that meets the requirements of all parties involved.The launch event for the Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to take place in Lahore, has been postponed indefinitely. This is a clear indication that the tournament is facing significant challenges and its future remains uncertain.

Former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe has predicted that the Australian team will target Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series. O'Keeffe believes that Australia will try to unsettle Rohit, who is likely to miss the first Test due to the expected birth of his second child, and Kohli, who has been in a recent slump.O'Keeffe told Fox Sports, "Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma."O'Keeffe also suggested that Kohli is "slightly weaker" due to his recent form and that the Australian team will try to exploit this. "Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him," O'Keeffe said.However, O'Keeffe believes that Kohli's form could be the deciding factor in the outcome of the series. "I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win."Rohit has managed 588 runs in 11 Tests at an average of just 29.40 this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Test at an average of 22.72.India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has hailed VVS Laxman as a strong contender for the India coaching role after the team's victory over South Africa in the third T20I. Laxman, who is currently the stand-in coach for the tour of South Africa, made a bold decision to send Tilak Varma to bat at No. 3 instead of Suryakumar Yadav, a move that proved to be a masterstroke.Ali believes that Laxman's tactical acumen and ability to make decisive calls have put him in a prime position to succeed Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach. "VVS taught me a thing today. He is the next hot, hot, hot candidate for coaching," Ali said on YouTube. "He did not send Suryakumar to bat at No. 3 as he wanted to maintain the left-right combination. If Australia tour does not go well for Gambhir, VVS has emerged as a strong option."Laxman's decision to promote Varma paid off handsomely as the youngster smashed a magnificent century, guiding India to a formidable total of 219/6. South Africa's chase was spearheaded by Marco Jansen's blistering 54 off 17 balls, but India ultimately held on for an 11-run victory.Ali praised Laxman's ability to identify and nurture young talent, citing Varma's performance as a testament to his coaching skills. "The decision to not send Surya at No. 3 is one of those calls that attract attention and end up changing matches," Ali said. "It shows that VVS is not afraid to take risks and give opportunities to young players."With the series now poised at 2-1 in India's favor, Laxman's stock as a potential long-term coach has risen significantly. His tactical nous, player management skills, and ability to inspire his team have impressed many observers, including Ali.

Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, faces immense pressure as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches. The five-Test series, the first of its kind since 1991-92, will be a crucial test for Kohli, who has struggled for form in recent times.Kohli's average of 22.72 in six matches in 2024 is the lowest of his career. He has managed just one fifty this year, a 70 against New Zealand in the second innings of the first Test at Bengaluru. His last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the Australians will target Kohli's weakness outside the off-stump. "They'll obviously start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is," Manjrekar said. "Generally these days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that's pitched right up, he'll look to drive."Manjrekar also expects the Aussies to cramp Kohli for room and attack his body. "Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much," Manjrekar said. "So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one of landing a ball on middle stump which Josh Hazlewood would try. So all those methods will be tried by the Australians and Virat Kohli is aware of that."Kohli's poor form in the recent Test series against New Zealand, where he scored just 93 runs in three matches, will be a concern for India. The Aussies will be looking to exploit his vulnerability and keep his poor form going.Kohli has played two Tests in Perth, scoring 44 and 75 in the two innings in January 2012 and scoring a century in 2018. India need to win four Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the World Test Championships final, which will be held at Lord's in June 2025.

South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has emerged as a hot prospect ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, following his scintillating performance in the third T20I against India. Jansen's explosive batting and impressive bowling skills have caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans alike.In the high-scoring encounter, Jansen played a pivotal role in South Africa's chase of India's 219/6. Coming in at number seven, he unleashed a whirlwind innings of 54 off just 17 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I fifty against India. His innings was a display of power-hitting, featuring four boundaries and five sixes.Jansen's aggressive batting put India under immense pressure in the crucial final overs. Despite his heroics, South Africa fell short by 11 runs, but Jansen's performance left an indelible mark on the match.Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn took to social media to predict a substantial payday for Jansen in the upcoming IPL auction. "Marco Jansen. A 10 crore player? I'd say so," Steyn tweeted.Jansen, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after the 2023 season, will be a sought-after player in the auction. His ability to bowl at high speeds and contribute crucial runs with the bat makes him a valuable asset.The cricketing world is abuzz with discussions about Jansen's power-packed innings, solidifying his position as a prime target in the IPL 2025 auction. The mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25.