Cricket

India's Test squad remains unchanged ahead of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Despite the series being out of reach for India, the team management has decided against resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that no additional players have been added to the squad. He also clarified that Bumrah will not be rested, despite concerns about his workload. Nayar explained that Bumrah has not bowled a significant number of overs in the first two Tests, which were both curtailed due to rain."I think in the two Test matches he's (Bumrah) bowled around 20, 25 overs. So he's not bowled a lot," Nayar said. "Yes, there'll always be a thought process about his workload. Also, we played two games where we not at 5k cricket, it's been more three, three-and-a-half days, so he could have rest."Nayar also highlighted the importance of Bumrah to the team, especially considering the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. However, he acknowledged that the team management is aware of Bumrah's workload and will monitor it closely.Another factor influencing the decision to not rest Bumrah is the expected conditions at the Wankhede Stadium. Nayar believes that the pitch will offer assistance to seamers, especially in the early stages of each day."I always believe that Wankhede will always give pace a chance no matter what, especially when Mumbai winter doesn't feel like it," Nayar said. "But in the morning there will be a bit of moisture, there will be a bit of dew around. So you will expect the first sessions to have a bit of swing."Nayar also emphasized the need for self-reflection within the Indian team after losing a home series for the first time in over a decade. He urged the players to assess their game plans and improve their performances."I feel that though the conditions will be different with a red-soil pitch. The last time we played on a red soil, which was in Chennai, a lot of the guys have been a lot of local cricketers and they understand what these conditions are and how the pitch is going to pan out," he said. "I think it's more about, at this level, self reflection for every player to go in and understand their game plans."

India's dominance at home is under threat as they face the prospect of a historic whitewash against New Zealand in the third and final Test in Mumbai. The Kiwis have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, putting India's top spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) table in jeopardy.The defeats in Bengaluru and Pune have exposed the fragility of India's batting lineup, with key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to deliver. This has raised concerns about India's ability to qualify for the WTC final, which requires a top-two finish in the 2023-25 cycle.Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali believes that the Indian batsmen need to step up and score runs in the Mumbai Test. He emphasized the importance of Kohli and Sharma finding form, as well as other batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, and KL Rahul.Ali also suggested that India should consider playing a spin-heavy lineup on a turning track at the Wankhede Stadium. He believes that this would test the New Zealand batting, especially if left-armer Mitchell Santner is able to exploit the conditions.While the New Zealand spinners have been impressive, Ali praised the performances of their left-handed batsmen, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway. He believes that India will need to do their homework and come up with a plan to counter their threat.A win in the Mumbai Test is crucial for India's morale ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. A 3-0 whitewash at home would put them in a difficult position when they travel Down Under.

Mohammed Shami's Absence a Major Blow for India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami has cast a shadow over the Indian team's prospects. Shami, who has been sidelined since November due to an ankle injury, is considered one of the most potent fast bowlers in the world.Former Australia captain Tim Paine has expressed his belief that Shami's absence will be a significant setback for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," Paine said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will feature five Tests played across Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams boasting world-class players.India's squad for the series includes captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, and a host of talented batsmen and bowlers. However, the absence of Shami leaves a significant void in the bowling attack.Shami's ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup. His absence will put additional pressure on Bumrah, who is already India's leading fast bowler.India will need to find a way to compensate for Shami's absence if they want to challenge Australia in their own backyard. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna will be expected to step up and fill the void.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious Test series in cricket, and the absence of Shami is sure to add an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming contest.

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has refuted claims that the team requests tailor-made pitches for Test matches. He also expressed support for out-of-form legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the need for patience and backing.After suffering their first-ever Test series loss at home in 12 years, India will face New Zealand in the third and final Test from Friday. The Pune Test, played on a spinner-friendly track, resulted in India's 113-run defeat. Speculations have arisen that the Wankhede Stadium pitch in Mumbai could also favor spinners.However, Nayar denied these allegations, stating that the team does not have any influence over pitch preparation. "We don't curate pitches. The curators do. Whatever we're provided with, we go on and play," he said. "As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we're provided with."Regarding Kohli and Sharma's poor form, Nayar expressed confidence in their abilities. "I've seen nothing but love for them all over. When a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them their space and trusting that they will come back," he said. "They will put in the work."Nayar emphasized the importance of patience, especially with experienced players. "Everyone's worked really hard, everyone wants to do well. The effort is there. The approach is great. I feel they're putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, you've got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players," he said.India will be eager to salvage their pride in the final Test. The team's performance has been under scrutiny, and they will be determined to end the series on a positive note.

New Zealand's historic series win against India has propelled them into contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, the Kiwis are eyeing a clean sweep in the third Test in Mumbai, starting Friday.India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand are the four teams vying for the two spots in the WTC final, scheduled for June 2024 at Lord's. Despite their recent defeats, India remains atop the WTC table, followed by Australia. Sri Lanka and New Zealand occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively.New Zealand's victory in Pune has given them a psychological edge, but they face a new challenge in the red-soil pitch at the Wankhede Stadium. Coach Gary Stead acknowledges the difference in conditions and emphasizes the need for quick adaptation."The red clay is very different, so we're going to have to adapt quickly," Stead said. "Our next two training sessions are going to be important. For the WTC itself, there's no doubt one more win would certainly help us."New Zealand's triumph in the inaugural WTC edition in 2021, where they defeated India in the final, serves as inspiration for the team. Stead believes they can draw on that experience to achieve another special result."The first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first WTC final, we had to win four Tests on the bounce and we managed to," Stead recalled. "Hopefully that's something we can lean on and say, 'we've done it before, here's an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again'."India, on the other hand, will be determined to avoid a series whitewash, which they last suffered at home in 2000 against South Africa. The hosts will be eager to close the gap with Australia at the top of the WTC table, where they currently trail by a mere 0.32 points percentage.The third Test in Mumbai promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for victory and a place in the WTC final.

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, has set his sights on conquering the final frontier of his illustrious career: a Test series victory over India. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) set to commence in Perth on November 22, Cummins is determined to fill the void in his impressive CV.Australia has enjoyed a golden era under Cummins' leadership, claiming the Ashes, World Test Championship, and ODI World Cup. However, a Test series win over India has eluded them, with India remaining undefeated in the BGT for the past decade."It's kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off," Cummins said at the launch of his book. "Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home."India's recent Test defeats at home against New Zealand have raised questions about their preparations for the Australia tour. However, Cummins remains wary of their formidable batting lineup."I think any time a team's under pressure, it's not a bad thing if you're playing against them," Cummins said. "But they've been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go."The BGT is also crucial for the World Test Championship, with India and Australia currently occupying the top two positions. A series win would strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final.Cummins is confident in his team's ability to perform well against India. "We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well," he said. "I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is a big year, big season."

New Zealand's historic Test series victory in India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. After securing the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, the Kiwis sealed the series with a commanding 113-run win in Pune, marking their first series triumph on Indian soil.This victory snapped India's remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak at home, a testament to the Black Caps' resilience and determination. It also ended India's impressive run of 18 consecutive home series victories, a streak that had stood since England's triumph in 2012.New Zealand's veteran pacer Tim Southee expressed his team's elation at their historic achievement. "It's a very, very tough place to come," Southee said. "But I think you look at this one in particular, 12 years, 18 series. It's nice to be that side that's broken that run."Southee's words underscore the magnitude of New Zealand's accomplishment. India is renowned for its formidable home record, with its spinners wreaking havoc on visiting batsmen. However, the Kiwis defied the odds, showcasing their adaptability and skill in challenging conditions.The victory is a testament to the depth and quality of New Zealand's squad. Led by the experienced Kane Williamson, the team boasts a balanced attack and a resilient batting lineup. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay India on their home turf is a testament to their tactical acumen and mental fortitude.New Zealand's historic triumph has sent a clear message to other teams worldwide: it is possible to defeat India in India. The Black Caps' victory has inspired hope and belief that even the most formidable teams can be overcome with the right combination of skill, determination, and belief.As the series moves to Mumbai for the third Test, New Zealand will aim to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. India, on the other hand, will be eager to salvage some pride and avoid a humiliating whitewash. The final Test promises to be an intriguing battle between two evenly matched teams, with the Kiwis looking to cement their status as one of the world's leading Test sides.

India's women's cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding six-wicket victory in the decisive match on Tuesday. The triumph was orchestrated by a masterful century from star batter Smriti Mandhana, who anchored India's chase of 233 with an unbeaten 100 runs off 122 balls.Mandhana's innings was a return to form for the talented batter, who had struggled to make an impact in the previous two ODIs and the preceding T20 World Cup. Her patient yet dominant knock, studded with 10 boundaries, laid the foundation for India's successful run chase.After a shaky start that saw India lose Shafali Verma early, Mandhana found a willing partner in Yastika Bhatia. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, steadying the Indian innings. Bhatia played the perfect foil to Mandhana, scoring a brisk 35 runs before falling to a return catch.Mandhana's partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur proved decisive, effectively sealing the match for India. Their 118-run stand for the third wicket deflated the New Zealand bowling attack, with Kaur playing a supporting role with an unbeaten 59.By the time Mandhana departed in the 41st over, India were within touching distance of victory. Earlier in the day, New Zealand recovered from a precarious 88/5 to post a respectable total of 232/5, thanks to a fighting knock of 86 runs from Brooke Halliday. The Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra, had initially dominated the proceedings, reducing New Zealand to a moderate total. Despite the late fightback from New Zealand, Mandhana's century proved to be the difference between the two sides.India's victory in the series is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite facing a strong New Zealand side, the Indian women showed their mettle and emerged victorious. Mandhana's century was the highlight of the match, but the contributions of other players, such as Bhatia and Kaur, were equally crucial.

Australia is poised to enter the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) as the frontrunner, according to former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine attributes this to India's recent struggles with form and injuries.Paine, who captained Australia in their previous two BGT losses, believes Australia's stability and home advantage give them an edge. "Australia are going to start pretty strong favorites," he said. "I think India have not been playing pretty well, their batting looks a little brittle."Paine also highlighted the absence of Mohammed Shami as a significant blow for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," he said. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."Reflecting on India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, Paine expressed concern about their batting. "No. They (New Zealand) are not very good. Is that harsh? Unbelievable performance, no doubt about that. But that makes me worry a little about India, totally honest," he said.Paine also acknowledged India's historic 2020-21 series win in Australia, crediting Cheteshwar Pujara as the series hero. "The guy who won them the series was Pujara," he said. "He wore us down, he wore our fast bowlers down."India's selectors have named an 18-member squad for the five-Test series, but Shami's absence has forced them to field an inexperienced pace attack. Bumrah will lead the bowling unit, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.India's first Test against Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, kicking off the much-anticipated series.