Cricket

India's recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand has served as a "wake-up call" for the team, according to former cricketer Ajay Jadeja. However, he remains confident in India's ability to bounce back and secure a series win in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Speaking at the Sportstar Sports Conclave in Rajasthan, Jadeja emphasized the importance of such setbacks in the team's development. "You need a wake-up call sometimes," he said. "We won the (T20) World Cup this year, we're the best team, with the best captain, but suddenly Rohit Sharma is criticized for not moving well. I feel for him."Despite the recent loss, Jadeja believes India has the experience and talent to overcome Australia in their own backyard. "We may not reach the World Test Championship final, but I believe we can secure the series win," he said. "Our team has more experience from multiple tours Down Under, unlike earlier eras when players only visited every eight years."Jadeja also praised the impact of Rishabh Pant, who played a pivotal role in India's 2020/21 series win in Australia. "He's freakish and brilliant," Jadeja said. However, he cautioned against stifling Pant's creativity. "As long as he's playing, he'll be one of India's best. The challenge lies in not stifling his creativity. Once you try to control such players, their brilliance diminishes. It's a double-edged sword."Jadeja also highlighted the mental strength required at the international level, citing Jasprit Bumrah as a prime example. "At that stage, it's about training your mind, not just your body," he said. "Bumrah is a prime example; despite being advised to change his action as a teenager, he trusted his instincts and persevered. That belief, paired with mental toughness, is remarkable."

Nathan McSweeney has been selected to open the batting for Australia in the first Test against India in Perth, partnering Usman Khawaja. The 24-year-old has been in impressive form for South Australia and Australia A, earning him the nod ahead of specialist openers like Marcus Harris.McSweeney's selection is a testament to his recent performances, which include two half-centuries against India A at the MCG. Despite failing to convert those starts into big scores, his technique and temperament have impressed the selectors."Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket," said chair of selectors George Bailey. "His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favor and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level."Josh Inglis has also been included in the 13-player squad as the reserve batter. The 27-year-old has been in excellent touch in the Sheffield Shield competition, scoring three centuries in his last five innings.Scott Boland has been named as the back-up quick bowler behind captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. The 33-year-old has been a reliable performer when given the opportunity at Test level and remains a valued member of the squad.Marcus Harris, who scored a hard-fought 74 in the first innings against India A, has missed out on selection. Sam Konstas, who sealed victory in the match with a fine innings at No. 4, has also been overlooked, as has Cameron Bancroft, who has been in poor form.

India's T20I Dominance vs. South Africa's Struggles: A Tale of Two TeamsSince the thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 final, the fortunes of India and South Africa have diverged significantly in the shortest format.India's Seamless TransitionDespite losing key players from the World Cup-winning XI, India has transitioned seamlessly. Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a batting force, while youngsters have slotted in effortlessly. They are currently on an 11-match winning streak, including series victories over Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.South Africa's Post-World Cup SlumpIn contrast, South Africa has struggled since their World Cup defeat. They lost 3-0 to West Indies and drew 1-1 with Ireland. Their loss in Durban against India has further dented their confidence.Key Factors in the ContrastSouth Africa's struggles stem from a lack of cohesion and the absence of key players. India, on the other hand, has maintained a high level of consistency and has been able to win without their first-choice T20I players.Players to WatchGerald Coetzee, with his fiery bowling, and Arshdeep Singh, with his impressive wicket-taking ability, are players to watch in the second T20I.Team NewsIndia may consider debuting Ramandeep Singh as a finisher, while South Africa could replace Nqabayomzi Peter with Ottneil Baartman.Pitch and ConditionsThe Gqeberha pitch is expected to favor fast bowlers with good bounce and carry. Rain is unlikely to affect the match.Stats and Trivia* Hardik Pandya could move to second on India's all-time T20I wicket-takers list.* Sanju Samson has the highest strike rate among Full Member batters in 2024.* India has a strong T20I record against South Africa in South Africa.Quotes"We have to respect South Africa, but we have to play like world champions," said Sanju Samson."We need new blood and experience," said Gerald Coetzee about South Africa's rebuilding process.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, faces a crucial test as India prepares to take on Australia in the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd. While Kohli's record against Australia remains formidable, his recent form has raised concerns about his ability to deliver on Australian soil.Kohli's Test performance has witnessed a significant decline since 2020. His average has plummeted to 31.68 from a commanding average exceeding 50 in the preceding years. This slump includes a meager two centuries in 34 Test matches, a statistic that even surprised former Australian captain Ricky Ponting."I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he has only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That did not seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that is a concern," Ponting told ICC. "There would not be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that has only scored two Test match hundreds in five years."Kohli's struggles are further highlighted by his Test average in 2024, plummeting to 22.72, his lowest since his debut year in 2011. This poor run of form has seen him drop out of the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings top 20 for the first time in a decade.Adding to the pressure, Kohli's recent home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand yielded a paltry 192 runs in 10 innings, averaging a meager 21.33. This performance stands in stark contrast to his career average of 47.48 against Australia, with a remarkable eight centuries and five fifties in 25 matches.Despite the concerning statistics, Ricky Ponting remains optimistic about Kohli's chances. "I have said it before about Virat, you do not ever question the greats of the game. There is no doubt, he is a great of the game," remarked Ponting. "He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record in Australia is very good. If there is a time for him to turn it around, it would be this series. So I would not be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game."Kohli's past performance in Australia certainly supports Ponting's confidence. He boasts an average of 54.08 on Australian pitches, amassing 1,352 runs in 13 Tests, including six centuries.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy carries immense weight as it contributes to the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 qualification. India will be looking to Kohli to rediscover his form and lead the batting lineup against a formidable Australian bowling attack.

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher has expressed concern over David Miller's struggles against spin bowling, which contributed to the Proteas' 61-run defeat to India in the first T20I. Boucher also highlighted the South African bowlers' inability to exploit the pitch conditions.During the middle overs, Miller and Heinrich Klaasen struggled to find boundaries while chasing a 203-run target. Both batters were dismissed in the same over by Varun Chakravarthy, dealing a significant blow to their team's chances.Boucher particularly highlighted the 11th over bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, where Miller played five consecutive dot balls before finally managing a single. "David Miller wasn't picking a thing at all. I mean, there's one over there where I think he missed four out of the six deliveries he faced. So yeah, he was bowled really well tonight, and it just goes to show two quality spinners. There was something there for the bowlers on that wicket. Something that South African bowlers could not exploit," Boucher said.In the subsequent over, Klaasen hit a six on the second delivery. However, Chakravarthy soon had Klaasen caught at long-on and then dismissed Miller for 18, who mistimed a shot to deep square leg.Boucher further pointed out how Bishnoi cleverly used his seam to extract help from the surface. "I was watching a couple of his (Ravi Bishnoi) balls come out a little bit different and I think what he did really well tonight, especially in the dark, is he changed the seam up. Sometimes you look at the ball, especially as a wicket-keeper as well. You look at the ball and see if you can see it spinning different ways. But he muddled his seam up very nicely," he added.In the match, India batted first and posted a challenging 202/8, thanks to Sanju Samson's blitz. South Africa's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Gerald Coetzee being the only exception with three wickets.In the run chase, South Africa's batters failed to put up a decent performance. No Proteas batters could cross the 30-run mark. Heinrich Klaasen (25 runs) and Gerald Coetzee (23 runs) were the highest run scorers for the hosts.The Indian bowling attack was led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who bundled out the hosts at 141 with two overs remaining. Both Varun and Bishnoi picked up three wickets in the game.Samson was named the Player of the Match following his stellar show with the bat. India will take on South Africa in the second T20I match of the series on Sunday in Gqeberha.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision stems from advice received from the Indian government, which has advised against sending the team to Pakistan due to security concerns.The Champions Trophy, an eight-team tournament, is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. However, the BCCI's decision has forced the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider contingency plans.One possible solution is a hybrid model, where teams would play matches in Pakistan and a second venue. However, the PCB has previously ruled out this option. ESPNcricinfo understands that contingency plans were drawn up months ago in anticipation of such a scenario.The UAE and Sri Lanka are potential candidates to host matches alongside Pakistan. The ICC has been informed of the BCCI's stance, but it remains unclear whether the decision has been communicated in writing. The PCB has stated that it will need written confirmation before discussing the matter with the government.The BCCI's decision is based on the strained political relations between India and Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, despite Pakistan playing several ICC events in India, including the 2023 World Cup. The two sides have only played one bilateral series since then, a white-ball tour by Pakistan in 2012-13.The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. The competing teams are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. The schedule and ticketing details for the tournament have yet to be announced.

Sanju Samson's T20 Heroics Earn Praise from Pakistan's Ahmad ShahzadIndian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson's scintillating performance in the first T20I against South Africa has garnered widespread admiration, including from Pakistan's Ahmad Shahzad. Shahzad, a former Pakistani opener, took to his YouTube channel to express his awe at Samson's match-winning knock.Samson's blistering innings of 107 runs off just 50 balls, featuring 10 towering sixes and seven boundaries, left an indelible mark on the match. His relentless aggression kept the South African bowlers at bay, with Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee struggling to contain his onslaught.Shahzad was particularly impressed by Samson's consistency, highlighting his consecutive centuries in international matches. "Scoring two consecutive centuries in international matches is no small feat," Shahzad remarked. "If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. But Sanju has set this record for himself, and that's a huge deal for his career."The Pakistani batter believes that Samson's recent performances warrant greater recognition and regular opportunities. "He now deserves all the respect from India," Shahzad asserted. "Scoring two centuries in two matches is not easy, and by doing it, he's pretty much saying, 'Kyun hila dala na (Hey, ain't you surprised?)'"Samson's innings propelled India to a commanding 61-run victory in the opening T20I. South Africa, chasing a daunting target of 203, were unable to match India's firepower, managing only 141 all out in under 18 overs.Samson's record-breaking knock has placed him among the elite in T20I cricket. He joins the likes of Gustav McKeon, Rilee Rossouw, and Phil Salt as players to have scored consecutive hundreds in the format. Additionally, with his three 50+ scores, Samson now stands alongside top Indian wicket-keepers in T20 history, outpacing even MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant in this regard.As India prepare for the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday, Samson's performance has raised expectations and cemented his status as a key player in the team's T20 setup.

Rohit Sharma's Availability for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Opener Remains UncertainIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth remains in doubt. Rohit himself had expressed uncertainty about his availability due to a "personal reason," but recent reports suggest that he may travel to Australia with the first batch of players on November 10.While Rohit's presence in Australia does not guarantee his participation in the Perth Test, it indicates a potential change in his stance. Rumors have circulated that Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh are expecting their second child, which could be the reason for his initial request for time off.According to India Today, Rohit will fly to Australia with the first group of players on Sunday, while the second batch will depart on Monday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to divide the team into two batches due to limited availability on commercial flights.However, Rohit's participation in the opening match is still subject to his personal situation. He could potentially return home before the match begins. Nevertheless, it appears that Rohit is keen on giving himself a chance to play."He is traveling but his participation in the 1st Test is yet not confirmed. Will see what happens next anything in regards to this. His availability is subject to his personal matter," an India Today source said.After the conclusion of the New Zealand Test series, Rohit had expressed uncertainty about his availability for the Perth match. "I am not sure of my availability for the first Test in Perth, Fingers Crossed," he had said.Rohit recently participated in a six-hour meeting with BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The meeting covered various topics, including the reasons for India's 0-3 defeat against New Zealand.

Australia's opening batsman conundrum intensified on Saturday as teenager Sam Konstas staked his claim with an unbeaten 73, while his rivals faltered ahead of the first Test against India.Konstas, 19, seized his opportunity in the final match of the Australia A series against India A, guiding his team to a six-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His composed innings, which included seven fours and a six, came after a challenging start to the series, where he had managed only 16, 0, and 3 in his previous three innings.Konstas' resurgence reminded selectors of his potential, having impressed with consecutive centuries for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. However, his recent struggles for Australia A had raised doubts about his readiness to replace David Warner as Australia's opener.Meanwhile, Konstas' competitors failed to capitalize on their chances. Nathan McSweeney, who had emerged as a frontrunner with scores of 39 and an unbeaten 88 in the previous match, could only manage 14 and 25 at the MCG. Marcus Harris, hoping to add to his 14 Test caps, followed up his solid 74 on Friday by falling for a golden duck in the second innings. Cameron Bancroft, whose hopes of reviving his Test career were already fading after poor performances in Mackay, also suffered a golden duck.With the first of five Tests against India beginning on November 22 in Perth, Australia's selectors now face a difficult decision about who will open alongside Usman Khawaja. Konstas' strong performance has thrown a spanner in the works, while McSweeney, Harris, and Bancroft have failed to cement their positions.