Cricket

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated cricket series between India and Australia, has sparked discussions among experts and former players. Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has identified two key battles that will shape the outcome of the five-match series.Vaughan believes that the clash between Australia's captain Pat Cummins and India's star batsman Virat Kohli will be a pivotal matchup. Cummins, known for his exceptional pace and swing, will face off against Kohli, one of the most prolific run-scorers in Test cricket.Another intriguing battle, according to Vaughan, will be between India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Australia's left-handed batsman Travis Head. Head has been a thorn in India's side in recent encounters, including the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test uncertain, Vaughan suggests that Bumrah could lead the Indian team in Perth. "Pound for pound, I think Bumrah is the best bowler in the world," Vaughan said. "I'm looking forward to that kind of confrontation."Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist also weighed in on the upcoming series, highlighting the rivalry between Rishabh Pant and Nathan Lyon. Pant has a history of attacking Lyon's off-spin bowling, and Gilchrist believes this matchup will be crucial."Rishabh can go through the gears as quickly as anyone, from complete defense to all out assault and attack on a bowler," Gilchrist said. "That would be fascinating."Other potential matchups to watch include Steve Smith against Bumrah and David Warner against Mohammed Shami. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams boasting world-class players and a history of intense rivalry.

The Champions Trophy, a prestigious one-day cricket tournament, has been thrown into disarray by reports that India's men's team will not travel to Pakistan for the event next year. The tournament, which features the top eight ODI teams in the world, is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket, has confirmed that it has received an email from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stating that India will not be visiting Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB had previously rejected the idea of a hybrid tournament, in which India would play its matches at neutral venues.The PCB had anticipated a reciprocal gesture from India after Pakistan traveled to India for the ODI World Cup last year. However, India played its matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup in Pakistan last year, which was held under a hybrid format.The BCCI, India's influential cricket board, has refrained from commenting publicly on the matter. The BCCI has significant influence at the ICC, and its secretary, Jay Shah, is set to become ICC chairman next month.The absence of India from the Champions Trophy would be a major blow to the tournament. The matches between India and Pakistan are among the most watched events on the world sports calendar."If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren't there, and we need to protect them," said England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould last month.The ICC is now faced with the challenge of finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved. One option could be to move the tournament to a neutral venue, but this would likely be met with resistance from the PCB.Another option could be to allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue, but this would also be a compromise for the PCB.The ICC is expected to make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks.

Australia's Haddin Warns India of Pace Attack Threat in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has issued a stern warning to Indian batters ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, expressing doubts about their ability to withstand the formidable pace attack of the hosts.In a recent interview on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Haddin expressed concerns about India's batting lineup, particularly in the opening Test match at the bouncy Perth Stadium. "I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks," Haddin said. "I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work."Haddin's comments stem from the fact that India's batting lineup has historically struggled against fast bowling in Australian conditions. In the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's top order was repeatedly dismissed by the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting that both sides' opening batsmen could face challenges against the opposing bowling attacks. "I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, the two wicketkeepers are going to be so important," Finch said. "At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order."Finch highlighted the importance of the middle order, particularly the wicketkeepers, in providing stability and momentum to their respective teams. "Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive," Finch said. "The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth, is expected to be a fiercely contested series between two of the world's top cricketing nations. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy they won in India in 2017, while India will be eager to reclaim it on Australian soil.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has advocated for the inclusion of Ramandeep Singh in the Indian team for the third T20I against South Africa. Uthappa believes that Ramandeep's all-round abilities, including his batting and bowling prowess, would bolster the team's lower order.India's batting lineup faltered in the second T20I, with the team struggling to post a competitive total. Uthappa identified the lack of solidity in the lower order as a key issue, suggesting that Ramandeep could provide stability at number 8."You need an all-rounder there (at number 8) is what I feel. You need someone who can bat and bowl. Whether that is a spinner or a fast bowler, other than Hardik Pandya I mean. It is what can fill that gap. Right now they don't have any, but they have Ramandeep on the wings, which is why I am saying - bring him on to play," Uthappa said.Ramandeep, who has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, offers both batting and bowling options. He can provide a solid middle-order presence, while also contributing with his medium-pace bowling.In the second T20I, India's bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy's maiden five-wicket haul, restricted South Africa to a modest total of 128. However, the Proteas' lower order, anchored by Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee, guided the team to a three-wicket victory.The series is now level at 1-1, with the third T20I scheduled for Wednesday. Uthappa's suggestion to include Ramandeep could be a strategic move to address the team's lower-order woes and improve their chances of securing a series victory.

India's batting lineup faces a crucial test in the third T20I against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Wednesday, November 12, 2024. The team needs to regain its mojo after a disappointing performance in the second match, where they were restricted to 124 for six.The unfamiliarity of the venue, where India has played only one T20I in the past, adds to the challenge. The pitch is expected to be similar to the one at Gqeberha, which was quick and bouncy. This poses a significant hurdle for India's batters, who struggled against South Africa's pacers in the previous match.Abhishek Sharma, who has been in poor form, is under pressure to deliver. The team may consider giving Tilak Varma a chance to partner Sanju Samson at the top and bringing in Ramandeep Singh to add more power to the middle order.Senior batters like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh also need to step up. Yadav and Rinku have shown glimpses of their prowess, while Pandya's slow start in the second match was a concern.The pace attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, will be eager to make amends after a contrasting performance in the second game. Arshdeep's economy rate of 41 in the second match was a setback, while Khan's 28-ball struggle to find his first boundary raised questions about his form.However, the efforts of Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi in the previous match have been outstanding. The spinners will be looking to continue their good form and give India an advantage.South Africa, too, faces batting issues. Senior players like Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen are yet to fire in the series. The Proteas will need their veterans to contribute more, especially against India's spinners.

India's upcoming Test series against Australia promises to be a fiery affair, with the Optus Stadium pitch in Perth prepared to offer "good bounce and pace." The pitch curator, Isaac McDonald, is aiming to replicate the conditions that proved challenging for Pakistan in December 2022, when the Aussies secured a massive 360-run victory.McDonald is leaving some grass on the pitch to enhance its spiciness, aiming for a similar starting point to last year's match. The Australian pacers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, are expected to exploit the conditions, having grabbed 12 of the 20 Pakistan wickets in that match.India, however, will enter the Perth Test without any practice match experience, having canceled an intra-squad game. Instead, they will focus on center-wicket training at the nearby WACA stadium, where Australia will also hone their skills.The Perth pitch has a history of producing thrilling contests. In the 2017-18 Ashes series, England's James Anderson and Stuart Broad wreaked havoc on the Australian batsmen, dismissing them for just 103 in the second innings.India will need to be wary of the pace and bounce on offer, especially given their recent struggles against fast bowling. However, they will also be buoyed by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to lead the bowling attack.The opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22, and promises to be a captivating battle between two of the world's top cricketing nations.

Nathan McSweeney, the Australian opener poised to make his Test debut against India in the upcoming Perth Test, is eagerly preparing for the formidable challenge posed by the Indian pace attack. McSweeney, who has been in impressive form domestically, was recently included in the 13-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.Despite typically batting at number four, McSweeney has been tasked with opening alongside Usman Khawaja against India. To prepare for this crucial role, he has been diligently studying videos of India's quicks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."I'll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself," McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN. "I've looked at a few clips of what their bowling attack stacks up like. I'm just trying to visualize how I'm going to go about it."McSweeney acknowledges the unique challenges of facing a new bowler, particularly one with an unorthodox action like Bumrah. "Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," he said. "I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well."Despite the daunting task ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities and eager to seize the opportunity. "In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have," he said. "I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that."McSweeney's inclusion in the Test squad is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in Australia's domestic competition and earned his place in the side after solid performances during the 'A' matches against India.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, and McSweeney is determined to make a positive impact on his debut. "There's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," he said.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his disappointment over the underutilization of all-rounder Axar Patel in the first two T20I matches against South Africa. Despite playing Axar as the third spinner alongside Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, the Indian team management has failed to utilize his skills effectively.In the second game of the series, Axar bowled just one over despite the pitch offering assistance to spinners. Manjrekar believes this was a glaring mistake by captain Suryakumar Yadav. "What are we doing with Axar Patel? Why are you playing him? Give a little clarity. Axar Patel, one over in Kingsmead, Durban, and here also just one over. On a pitch where six of the seven wickets were picked up by spinners, he bowled just one over," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that Axar's underutilization is a waste of a valuable resource. "In my opinion, he is being underutilized as a resource. We are saying that you are playing three spinners, but you are unable to play them properly. I am not thinking much about the batting failure, but not bowling Axar Patel was an obvious mistake on Surya's part," he added.Akaash Chopra also highlighted the fact that Tristan Stubbs struggled against spinners, and a few more overs from Axar could have made a difference for India. "That was a thing that stood out here as Tristan Stubbs, who played well, wasn't able to pick length properly at the start. He was going back against full deliveries. He is a quality player and he showed in the end how and why, but Gerald Coetzee came as an out-of-syllabus question, and I feel he will get one-and-a-half to two crores extra in the auction because he also hit sixes," Chopra said.Despite Varun Chakravarthy's impressive five-wicket haul, South Africa managed to snatch a three-wicket victory, leveling the series at 1-1. The Proteas' victory halted India's 11-match winning streak, but it was not without its share of drama.India struggled to a modest total of 124 for six on a bouncy pitch, while South Africa collapsed to 66 for six and 86 for seven. However, Stubbs and Coetzee's valiant partnership of 42 runs for the eighth wicket guided South Africa to victory.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to formally challenge the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) refusal to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The PCB has reportedly sought legal advice and will now seek clarification from the ICC regarding India's stance.According to sources, the PCB has consulted with legal experts following guidance from the Pakistan government. The PCB will use this legal consultation in its letter to the ICC, arguing that India's refusal to travel to Pakistan is unjustified.The Pakistan government has also advised the PCB to involve other cricket boards in this issue. The government believes that a match of such importance cannot be played outside Pakistan, given the significance of both countries in the sport.The government has also suggested that the PCB emphasize its positive conduct and attitude while presenting its case. The government believes that India has no moral or legal grounds to refuse to travel to Pakistan.India has not played a bilateral series in Pakistan since 2008. However, India has participated in tournaments hosted by Pakistan in neutral venues. For example, the 2023 Asia Cup was hosted by Pakistan, but India played all its games in Sri Lanka, including the India-Pakistan clash.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has initiated talks with senior government officials to discuss the future course of action after the ICC conveyed India's unwillingness to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.The PCB's challenge to the ICC is a significant development in the ongoing dispute between the two cricket boards. The outcome of this challenge could have implications for the future of cricket in Pakistan and the relationship between the two countries.