Cricket

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Kiwi batter Ross Taylor expressed his astonishment at the team's remarkable achievement, stating that a clean sweep was beyond their wildest dreams.The visitors dominated the series from start to finish, showcasing their superiority in all departments. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with the ball, while Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Devon Conway led the charge with the bat.Taylor hailed the team's performance as a testament to their hard work and determination. "I think the way they played throughout the whole series... I think we hoped more than thought we were going to win," he said. "But a clean sweep - I think it still hasn't quite sunk in among the New Zealand public, probably for the players as well."The series victory has provided a much-needed boost to cricket in New Zealand, a nation where rugby reigns supreme. "Cricket is fighting for an audience," Taylor noted. "After losing in Sri Lanka, the press after that has changed around completely. I don't think we've had scenes like this since winning the (last) World Test Championship."Taylor believes the team's success in India will inspire future generations of Kiwi cricketers. "It just tells you how high the New Zealand cricket public holds the Indian cricket team and what it's like to go and win over there," he said. "After winning the first Test, it gave the team as well as the public some belief, but I don't think even in our wildest dreams we imagined a clean sweep."New Zealand's triumph is a testament to their resilience and adaptability. They overcame challenging conditions, including India's spin-friendly pitches, to secure a historic victory. The series sweep will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable moments in New Zealand cricket history.

New Zealand's stunning 3-0 series sweep over India at home has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, leaving Australia wary ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.Australia's pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood believes the embarrassing loss could serve as a wake-up call for India, who are now facing a confidence crisis. "It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak," Hazlewood told Sydney Morning Herald. "We will see that when they come out."The Kiwis' triumph marks India's first-ever 3-0 whitewash at home, exposing glaring weaknesses in their batting lineup. In the Bengaluru Test, India collapsed to a dismal 46 runs in the first innings, followed by another batting failure in the second innings.The second Test saw a similar pattern, with India's batsmen failing to capitalize on a strong bowling performance. Chasing 359 runs for victory, they were dismissed for 245 runs.The final Test in Mumbai was another low-scoring affair, with India set a target of 147 runs. Despite a fighting half-century from Rishabh Pant, the batting lineup crumbled once again, bowled out for 121 runs.Hazlewood acknowledged the Kiwis' exceptional performance, stating, "Credit to the Kiwi boys. They played outstanding cricket. To win 3-0 in India is unbelievable."The India vs Australia series commences on November 22 with the first Test taking place in Perth. Adelaide Oval will host the second Test from December 6th to 10th, featuring the captivating day-night format under lights. Brisbane's Gabba will be the venue for the third Test, scheduled from December 14th to 18th. The traditional Boxing Day Test, slated for December 26th to 30th at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the penultimate stage of the series. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes 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, and Washington Sundar.

India's humiliating 3-0 series defeat at home against New Zealand has cast a shadow over their upcoming tour of Australia, which begins on November 22. The loss has raised concerns about the team's preparedness for the high-profile series, especially given the short turnaround time.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has criticized India's spin-centric approach against New Zealand, arguing that it has compromised their ability to handle pace bowling. He has also questioned the decision to cancel the warm-up game ahead of the first Test in Perth.Gavaskar believes that the Australia tour will be a significant challenge for India, particularly for the younger players who are traveling Down Under for the first time. He has urged the team management to reconsider their decision and arrange some warm-up games, even if it means playing against state A teams.The Indian team has a daunting task ahead of them. To qualify for the World Test Championship Final, they must win four out of five matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first Test against Australia is scheduled for November 22-26, followed by a two-day warm-up game in Canberra and the Adelaide Test. The remaining three Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, has been a formidable force in home conditions throughout his Test career. However, during the recent India vs New Zealand series, Ashwin's form dipped significantly, contributing to India's unprecedented 3-0 series loss.In the six innings he played against New Zealand, Ashwin managed only nine wickets, averaging over 41. This was in stark contrast to his recent performances at home, where he had been instrumental in India's 18 consecutive home series wins.In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in 2023, Ashwin picked up 25 wickets in four matches, averaging an impressive 17.28. Against England in 2024, he bagged 26 wickets in five Tests, including two five-wicket hauls. And in the series against Bangladesh in September, he took 11 wickets in two Tests, averaging 19.27.Ashwin's struggles against New Zealand were particularly surprising given the conducive conditions for spin bowling. However, the BlackCaps' bowlers, including the less experienced ones, were able to exploit the conditions better than him.While Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bagged 16 wickets each in the series, Ashwin turned out to be the least effective among India's spinners. This dip in form has raised concerns about Ashwin's ability to continue as India's lead spinner in home conditions.It remains to be seen whether Ashwin can regain his form and help India regain their home dominance. However, the New Zealand series has shown that even the most experienced bowlers can struggle when their form deserts them.

Ravindra Jadeja's resurgence with the ball has come at an opportune moment for India, as they prepare for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The all-rounder's remarkable 10-wicket haul in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand has reignited hopes of a strong Indian performance Down Under.Prior to the Mumbai Test, Jadeja's wicket-taking prowess had waned, with only one five-wicket haul in his previous 26 innings. However, his spellbinding performance in Mumbai, where he spun a web around the Kiwi batsmen, has instilled confidence in the Indian camp.Jadeja's return to form is not limited to his bowling. He has also been a valuable contributor with the bat, amassing 431 runs in 2024 at an average of 28.73. His century and two fifties this year highlight his all-round abilities.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a stern test for India, but Jadeja's presence in the team provides a significant boost. His ability to take wickets and contribute with the bat makes him a crucial asset for the team.If Jadeja can replicate his Mumbai magic in Australia, India will be well-positioned to secure a series win and book a spot in the World Test Championship final. His experience, skill, and determination will be invaluable as India aims to conquer the Aussies on their home turf.

David Warner, the recently retired Australian opener, has expressed his concerns about the Indian batting lineup ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand has raised questions about their form, and Warner believes that the Australian bowlers could exploit their weaknesses."I'd be nervous if I'm in their batting order," Warner said to Fox Sports. "They've got three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and it's going to be a tough challenge for them."Warner highlighted the importance of India's top-order batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are all in the twilight of their careers. He believes that these players will be determined to perform well in Australia and finish their careers on a high note."They've got some older guys in their team who are in the back end of their careers," Warner said. "They'll want to come out here and score big runs, and I know they'll be so determined to do well."Warner also discussed the threat posed by Australia's pace attack, led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. He believes that the Australian bowlers have the potential to dominate the Indian batsmen, especially if they can get through the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."The Australian top order needs to make runs," Warner said. "If they can get through Bumrah and Siraj, there could be some big runs put on the board."Overall, Warner believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a closely contested series, but he gives Australia a slight edge due to their superior bowling attack.

India and South Africa, two cricketing powerhouses, are set to reignite their rivalry in a four-match T20I series in South Africa from November 8. The two teams last faced off in a thrilling T20 World Cup final in June, where India emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs.The T20I rivalry between India and South Africa has been a captivating spectacle, marked by competitive and high-stakes matches. Over the years, both teams have consistently delivered close, hard-fought contests, whether on South African soil or in India.India has a slight edge in the bilateral T20I series against South Africa, having won 6 out of 9 matches played in South Africa. However, the Proteas have shown their resilience on home soil, particularly in the T20 World Cup final.India's victory over South Africa in the 2007 T20 World Cup was a pivotal moment in the history of the format. India went on to win the inaugural championship, and the victory over South Africa was a key step in their triumph.David Miller, South Africa's prolific batsman, leads the run-scoring charts in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is with 452 runs in 21 matches. He is followed by Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have both retired from the shortest format of the game.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's medium-fast bowler, leads the charts when it comes to most wickets in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is. He has taken 14 wickets from 12 matches against South Africa in T20Is.Suryakumar Yadav, who is set to lead India in the upcoming series, has played two T20Is in South Africa, scoring 56 and 100 in December 2023. His century in the third T20I of the series powered India to a 106-run victory and helped them draw the series 1-1.The India-South Africa T20I rivalry has showcased the adaptability of both teams, with South Africa performing well on Indian pitches, which are generally slower, and India showing resilience on South African fast, bouncy tracks.The upcoming series promises to be another thrilling chapter in the India-South Africa T20I rivalry. With both teams boasting talented players and a history of close matches, fans can expect a captivating spectacle of cricket.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), a fierce rivalry in Test cricket, returns on November 22 in Perth, Australia. This five-Test series marks the first time the BGT will be played over such a long format, with a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) at stake.India, the current holders of the BGT, face an uphill battle after a disappointing 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand. Their chances of qualifying for the WTC final now hinge on a successful defense of the BGT.India's batting lineup has been a major concern, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for runs. Sharma scored only 91 runs in six innings against New Zealand, while Kohli managed just 93. Their poor form has sparked debate about their future in Test cricket, especially if India fails to qualify for the WTC final.Despite their recent struggles, India has a strong history in the BGT, having won their last two Test tours of Australia. However, the team coached by Gautam Gambhir has not had the ideal preparation this time, with repeated batting failures at home.Interestingly, six Indian legends have played their last Test matches in the BGT: Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, and MS Dhoni. With several senior players in the current squad, including Ravichandran Ashwin (38), Rohit Sharma (37), Virat Kohli (35), and Ravindra Jadeja (35), it remains to be seen if any of them will join this illustrious list after this BGT.

New Zealand's historic Test series triumph over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Led by the astute captaincy of Tom Latham, the Kiwis achieved an unprecedented clean sweep, marking India's first-ever 0-3 series defeat at home.Latham's leadership proved pivotal in navigating the challenging tour of India, a team renowned for its home dominance. Despite New Zealand's limited success in India, Latham instilled a sense of calm and methodical approach, maintaining team morale throughout the series.The Kiwis' adaptability was a key factor in their success. Latham praised the contributions of various players, highlighting the team's ability to adjust to different conditions. The seamers excelled in Bangalore, while different batsmen stepped up at crucial moments.Ajaz Patel emerged as the player of the match in the third Test, claiming 11 wickets for 160 runs. Will Young, with 244 runs in the series, earned the player-of-the-series award.Latham acknowledged the inspiration drawn from the New Zealand women's team's T20 World Cup victory. He emphasized the importance of runs on the board, especially when chasing on tricky wickets.Despite a disappointing 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka prior to the India series, Latham remained confident in his team's abilities. He attributed their success to winning crucial tosses and posting competitive totals.New Zealand's historic triumph is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and the leadership of Tom Latham. It marks a significant milestone in the rivalry between the two cricketing giants.