Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has exuded confidence in his team's ability to conquer any type of wicket prepared by Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Gambhir asserted that the Indian Test squad possesses the versatility to counter any surface.India will embark on a five-match series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Gambhir, who departed for Australia on Monday with the second batch of Indian players, emphasized that the team is well-equipped to handle any pitch conditions."We don't control the wickets, we are ready for any kind of wicket. It's their wish whatever they want to give. We are ready for any kind of condition and our bases are covered," Gambhir declared. "If we play cricket to our best potential, then we can beat them."India will arrive in Australia 10 days prior to the first Test, providing ample time for acclimatization and practice on the bouncy Perth pitches. The team has canceled its practice match against India A to maximize net time and will train at the WACA. The match will be held at the Optus Stadium."I think 10 days, if we can get good, proper preparation before the start of the series, I think we're going to be in really good shape. We've got a lot of experienced players who've been to Australia a lot many times. So their experience will come in handy for the young players as well," Gambhir said."I'm sure these 10 days are going to be very crucial. Come the 22nd morning, I think we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one," the head coach added.Despite a disappointing 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand and the recent struggles of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir remains optimistic about India's chances. He believes that the team's experience and versatility will be key to success.

Virat Kohli, the star Indian batsman, has arrived in Perth, Australia, more than 10 days ahead of the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Kohli is the first player from the visiting team to land Down Under, with some of his teammates still in transit and others departing with coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday.India and Australia will face off in a five-Test series, with India being the current title-holders of the prestigious BGT. The Aussies, on the other hand, are eager to reclaim the trophy they haven't won since 2014.According to a report in 'The West Australian,' Kohli reached Perth on Sunday evening. The Indian squad is expected to begin training at the WACA Ground from Tuesday in preparation for the first Test. However, the venue is under lockdown to keep the Indian camp strictly behind closed doors.Kohli, 36, has been facing criticism for his prolonged poor form. He has had a forgettable 2024 so far, with only two international fifties to his name and a disappointing home Test season leading up to the Australia tour.His struggles against spinners have been evident in the 10 Test innings he played against Bangladesh and New Zealand. While India swept Bangladesh 2-0 in the Test series, Kohli could only manage 99 runs at an average of 33.00, with a highest score of 47.The New Zealand series was a disaster for India, as they suffered a 0-3 whitewash at home for the first time in a three-Test series. In his six innings against the Kiwis, Kohli's bat failed to make an impression, except for one innings where he scored 70. He could only accumulate 23 runs in the other five knocks, aggregating a mere 93 runs at an average of 15.50.While some have speculated that the Australia tour could be Kohli's last appearance in Tests, the batting icon will be determined to rediscover his form in red-ball cricket during the BGT, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, asserting that they remain "incredibly hungry" to perform and will bounce back in Australia.Gambhir's comments come amidst concerns over India's recent 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. However, the coach dismissed theories that he is under pressure, stating that he is honored to lead the Indian team."There are incredible people in the dressing room who have done a great job," Gambhir said. "I am not feeling the heat. It's an honor and privilege to coach the Indian team."Gambhir emphasized that the team is not undergoing a transition but is focused on the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. He acknowledged the presence of "incredibly tough characters" in the dressing room who are eager to prove themselves.Regarding the series-opening Perth Test, Gambhir confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah, as the designated vice-captain, will lead the side if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for personal reasons. He also mentioned that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are options for the opener's slot.Gambhir's unwavering support for Sharma and Kohli is significant, given their recent struggles with form. Sharma has not scored a century in over a year, while Kohli has not reached the three-figure mark in international cricket since November 2019.However, Gambhir believes that both players have the experience and determination to overcome their challenges. He pointed out that they have been through similar situations in the past and have always emerged stronger."They are still incredibly hungry to perform," Gambhir said. "They are not going to give up. They are going to keep fighting and keep trying to get better."India's tour of Australia will be a major test for the team, especially after their disappointing performance against New Zealand. However, Gambhir's confidence in his players suggests that they are ready to face the challenge head-on.

Tristan Stubbs' unbeaten 47 guided South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at St George's Park in Gqeberha. The 22-year-old, who grew up in Knysna, admitted to being "proper nervous" but managed to control his breathing and shepherd his team home.Stubbs entered the crease with South Africa struggling at 33 for 2 in the sixth over. He watched as his side slipped to 66 for 6 in the 13th and 86 for 7 in the 16th. However, he found vital support from Gerald Coetzee, with whom he shared an unbroken 42-run stand for the ninth wicket off just 20 balls."Fortunately, the run rate never got away from us," Stubbs said. "Once we lost the wickets, I had 30 in mind off the last three and then G [Coetzee] really came and played an innings to help that out and then, fortunately, we got over the line."Stubbs praised the Indian spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who kept things tight and out-skilled the South African batters on a surface that was "typically staying low." However, he was pleased to stay till the end and take his side home."They both [Chakravarthy and Bishnoi] were doing just enough to beat you on either side," he said. "It wasn't easy to come in and just rotate even, let alone take them on. They are two of the best spinners in the world so when they are on, it's really tough and they got the better of us in the middle there by just outskilling us."Stubbs' performance has been a highlight of South Africa's recent resurgence in white-ball cricket. In February, he became just the 11th batter to score a first-class triple-century in South Africa. He has also racked up Test and ODI centuries in the last month and a bit.When asked about the maturity in his game, Stubbs said, "I don't actually know how to answer that. It's just been nice. I really enjoy the longer format because you can spend more time in the middle without feeling like you need to play a big ball and I really enjoy the graft of batting long.""I think the longer form cricket just naturally helps your T20 game and the batsmanship and spending time in the middle and not having to make a play really helps the rest of the formats. So I think that's been the biggest thing."

Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer, has taken over as the bowling coach of the Indian Test team. His primary objective is to maintain the stability of the team's bowling unit, which has been a key factor in India's recent success in Test cricket.Morkel's appointment comes at a crucial time for India, as they prepare for a challenging five-Test series against Australia. The Indian pace attack has been severely handicapped by the absence of Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from heel surgery. Without Shami's experience and skill, India will need to rely heavily on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the uncapped quartet of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.Morkel's task is to ensure that these young bowlers are ready for the rigors of Test cricket in Australia. He will need to help them adjust to the different conditions, particularly the extra bounce and pace of Australian pitches. Morkel's own experience of bowling in Australia will be invaluable in this regard.In addition to technical guidance, Morkel will also need to provide mental support to his bowlers. The pressure of playing in Australia can be immense, and Morkel will need to help his charges stay focused and confident.Morkel's appointment has been met with optimism by the Indian cricket fraternity. He is widely respected as a bowling coach, and his experience and knowledge will be a valuable asset to the Indian team.

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the team's batting struggles after their three-wicket victory over India in the second ODI. He emphasized the importance of sticking to their game plan despite setbacks.In the post-match presentation, Markram praised the team's bowling performance, highlighting the execution of their plans. However, he acknowledged the batting's shortcomings, stating, "Sometimes it does not work out and we need to take it on the chin."Markram expressed pride in the contributions of Andile Simlalane and Nqabayomzi Peter, who played crucial roles in the victory. He emphasized the need to focus on each game individually, saying, "We won this game to level the series."The four-match series is now tied at 1-1. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, restricting India to 124/6 in 20 overs. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were instrumental in containing the Indian batters, each taking one wicket in their four-over spells.In the run-chase, India initially dominated, reducing South Africa to 87/6. However, Tristan Stubbs and Coetzee launched a counter-attack, guiding the team to victory with an over and three wickets remaining. Stubbs was named 'Player of the Match' for his unbeaten 47.Markram emphasized the team's commitment to their brand of cricket, despite the batting challenges. He said, "We are going to stick to our brand of cricket."

In a thrilling encounter at St George's Park, South Africa fought back valiantly to level the four-match T20I series against India 1-1. Despite a brilliant five-wicket haul from Varun Chakravarthy, the Proteas chased down a modest target of 125 with three wickets to spare.India's innings started promisingly, but they soon found themselves in trouble. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 15/3. Axar Patel and Tilak Varma provided some stability, but regular wickets prevented India from building momentum. Hardik Pandya's late surge (39 not out) offered some hope, but India could only muster 124/6 in their allotted 20 overs.South Africa's reply got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Ryan Rickelton, while Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks fell to Chakravarthy. However, Tristan Stubbs remained unyielding at the crease, striking crucial boundaries and keeping his side in the hunt.Despite a mid-innings wobble, South Africa stayed composed. Gerald Coetzee provided valuable support as the Proteas reached the target with just three wickets down. Chakravarthy's heroic performance couldn't save India, as South Africa leveled the series with a thrilling chase.The match showcased the resilience and determination of both teams. South Africa's ability to chase down a modest target under pressure was impressive, while India's bowling attack, led by Chakravarthy, showed their class. With two matches remaining in the series, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage and secure the series victory.

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey has raised concerns over the decision to field Nathan McSweeney as an opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. McSweeney, a South Australian batter, was selected based on his impressive performances in the Sheffield Shield and recent knocks against India A. However, Hussey believes that the management should have opted for a specialist opener, given the challenges of facing India's potent seam attack in the high-stakes series.Speaking on Fox Cricket during Australia's third ODI against Pakistan, Hussey said, "I think it's a tough ask to ask him to play his first Test match as an opening batsman against India in a huge series when he hasn't opened before in first-class cricket apart from last week in the India A clash."Hussey emphasized that while some past Australian players like Simon Katich and Shane Watson successfully transitioned from the middle-order to opening, they did so after playing numerous Test matches. "It's not easy at all. I know people will say Simon Katich and Shane Watson have done it in the past. They moved from the middle-order up to the top order, but they played 20-30 Test matches before they made the move. It's a tough ask and, personally, I would (prefer a specialist opener), but I think the Australian selectors' philosophy is picking the best six batters in the country, and then we'll figure the order out after that," Hussey added.Australia's chief selector George Bailey defended McSweeney's inclusion, insisting that the batter has significant experience facing the new ball, even though he primarily bats at number three for South Australia. "I don't think it's a huge adjustment to go from three to opening. I think in the 15 or so games that he's been batting at three for South Australia, I think he's been in before the 10th over about 20 times. He's had plenty of experience. I think his game and the way he plays, I don't think the adjustment will be too much," Bailey explained.The Border-Gavaskar series, which will begin on November 22 in Perth, is highly anticipated, with Australia looking to regain the trophy from India. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams boasting strong lineups.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between India and Australia has emerged as a formidable rivalry in the cricketing world, rivaling the legendary Ashes series between Australia and England. While the Ashes boasts a rich history dating back to 1882, the BGT, established in 1996, has quickly gained prominence as one of the most fiercely contested and closely followed encounters in the sport.Historical Perspective: BGT vs Ashes (Since 1996)Since the inception of the BGT, India has emerged as a dominant force, winning 10 of the 16 series played. Australia has secured five victories, while one series ended in a draw. Notably, India has achieved two historic away series wins in Australia (2018-19, 2020-21) and is aiming for a third consecutive triumph on foreign soil.In contrast, the Ashes has been dominated by Australia, who have won eight of the 15 series played since 1996. England has secured five victories, and two series have ended in draws. Australia's traditional dominance in the Ashes remains evident.Match Statistics: BGT vs AshesThe Ashes has a significant advantage in terms of matches played due to its long history. However, the BGT has witnessed a remarkable 56 Tests since 1996, with India winning 24 matches and Australia claiming 20 victories. India's recent dominance reflects their evolution as a formidable force in Test cricket.Recent Trends: The Last Five SeriesIn the last decade, India has established a clear dominance in the BGT, winning four consecutive series (2016-17, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2022-23). Australia's last series win came in 2014-15 on home soil.The Ashes have been more evenly contested in recent years. Australia has won two of the last five series (2017-18, 2021-22), while two ended in draws (2019, 2023). Australia has retained the urn due to their dominance in home conditions.Dominance in Away SeriesAway victories are a testament to a team's strength and resilience. India's two away series wins in Australia (2018-19, 2020-21) are significant achievements. Australia, on the other hand, has won only one away series in India, in 2004-05.In the Ashes, Australia has not won a series in England since 2001. England has also struggled in Australia, with their last win there coming in 2010-11. Australia's hold over the Ashes urn has been strengthened by their dominance in home conditions.BGT's Rising StatureWhile the Ashes remains iconic due to its deep-rooted history, the BGT has risen to prominence as one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in world cricket. India's dominance in the BGT, especially with back-to-back series wins in Australia, has led some to argue that the BGT now rivals or even surpasses the Ashes in terms of competitiveness and importance.For Australia, the upcoming BGT series presents a chance to reclaim the trophy at home, while for India, the series is a crucial step towards securing a spot in the World Test Championship final.