Cricket

David Warner's Comeback Offer for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Dismissed by Australia Skipper Pat CumminsAustralia's Test captain, Pat Cummins, has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of David Warner making a comeback for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Warner, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, recently expressed his willingness to return to the national team.Cummins, however, has put an end to any speculation, stating that the team "loves Davey" but will not consider him for the marquee series. He acknowledged Warner's offer but labeled it as a "bit of a wind-up.""Dave, we're very interested. We're taking it very seriously and we'll be in touch, mate," Cummins said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I can't remember if he reached out or I did... he's like, 'What do you think?', and I was like, 'Yeah, good luck with [Sydney] Thunder and I look forward to your comments on Fox.'"Cummins believes that Warner's offer was partly a joke but also a way for the former opener to stay in the limelight. "I think the truth's somewhere in the middle. I reckon it (offer) is a bit of a wind-up but I reckon he doesn't mind seeing himself in the back page. We love Davey but he is retired," Cummins added.In Warner's absence, Steve Smith has been opening the batting for Australia, but the move has not been entirely successful. The 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide from December 6. The remaining Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, with the series concluding on January 8, 2025.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.Shami's fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. "He looks like someone who is a complete package," Lee said. "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets."Lee, who has witnessed Yadav's impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. "He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game," Lee said. "I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that."India's bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India's success in Australia."On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner," Lee said. "You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win."Lee also praised India's overall strength as a team, describing them as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down." He cautioned Australia against underestimating India's ability to win on any given day."They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis," Lee said. "They know they can beat anyone on any given day."Lee's comments come after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of 'Bazball,' leading to some loose shots."Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," Lee noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.

India's women's cricket team commenced their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding 59-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Chasing a modest target of 228, New Zealand's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack. Radha Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 35 runs. Debutant pacer Saima Thakor also made an immediate impact, dismissing New Zealand opener Suzie Bates with her third delivery.New Zealand's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate dismissals. Skipper Sophie Devine was caught short of her crease, while Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green's promising partnership was broken by Thakor. Despite a brief fightback, New Zealand's batting order failed to recover, eventually folding for 168 runs.Earlier, India had posted a total of 227 after opting to bat first. The Kerr sisters, Amelia and Jess, led the New Zealand bowling attack with four and three wickets respectively. India's batters struggled to convert their starts into substantial scores, with Deepti Sharma (41), Tejal Hasabnis (42), Shafali Verma (33), Yastika (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) all failing to capitalize on their promising starts.Despite their batting struggles, India's bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Yadav's three wickets and Thakor's early strike proved decisive, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also contributed with two wickets each.The victory marks a positive start for India in the ODI series. They will look to continue their winning ways in the remaining two matches, scheduled for February 12 and 15.

Rohit Sharma's Test Woes Continue as Tim Southee Strikes AgainIndian captain Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test cricket extended on Thursday as he was dismissed for a duck on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Kiwi pacer Tim Southee delivered a venomous delivery that left Rohit bamboozled, marking the 14th time Southee has dismissed the Indian skipper across all formats.Southee's delivery was a masterclass in seam bowling. Pitched on a good length around middle and off, the ball moved away off the seam, leaving Rohit completely squared up in defense. As he attempted to defend from the crease, the ball nipped away slightly, clipping the top of off stump after a slight deflection off his back pad.Rohit's dismissal was a major setback for India, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. However, Washington Sundar provided a much-needed boost, making a spectacular return to the Test side with a seven-wicket haul.Sundar's off-spin proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen, as he ripped through their middle order. Fellow off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with three wickets, as New Zealand were bundled out for 259 in 79.1 overs.At the close of play, India were 16 for 1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on six and Shubman Gill on ten. The hosts trail by 243 runs, but will be hoping to make a strong comeback on day two.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has urged selectors to abandon the experiment of using Steve Smith as an opener and instead opt for a specialist opener for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.Clarke's suggestion stems from Smith's struggles at the top of the order since David Warner's retirement. Smith, who prefers batting at No. 4, has failed to replicate his success as an opener.With all-rounder Cameron Green ruled out due to injury, Australia faces a shortage of reliable openers. Clarke believes the team should not repeat the mistake of moving Smith to the top and instead select a specialist."We made a mistake in getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let's not make the same mistake," Clarke said. "Let's pick a specialist opener, whoever is best equipped."Australia has several options for the opener's position, including Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, Josh Inglis, and Nathan McSweeney. However, Clarke expressed skepticism about the latter two, questioning their experience and suitability for the role."How can you justify Josh Inglis is a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?" Clarke asked. "He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order."Clarke also highlighted the lack of runs from specialist openers in the current Shield cricket season. He suggested Cameron Bancroft as a potential candidate, citing his consistent performance over the past three seasons."I would probably go with Cameron Bancroft because he's been the leading run scorer for the last two years in Shield cricket," Clarke said. "I care about Shield cricket. I think he's earned the right to be selected based on runs."Clarke's comments come amid speculation that Warner may return from retirement for the India series. However, the former captain believes Australia should not rely on Warner and instead focus on developing a long-term solution at the top of the order.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has etched his name in the record books by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). During the second Test against New Zealand at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Ashwin took two crucial wickets in the morning session, surpassing Australia's Nathan Lyon to claim the top spot.Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 15 and Will Young for 18, helping India restrict New Zealand to 92/2 at lunch on Day 1. These dismissals brought Ashwin's tally to 188 wickets in 39 WTC matches, placing him ahead of Lyon, who has 187 wickets from 43 matches.Ashwin's remarkable achievement underscores his importance in India's bowling attack, as the team looks to bounce back in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand and secure a spot in the WTC final. The off-spinner has been a key figure in India's bowling lineup throughout the WTC, consistently delivering match-winning performances.With his latest milestone, Ashwin has further cemented his status as one of the world's leading bowlers in the longest format of the game. His ability to extract turn and bounce from any surface, combined with his exceptional control and variations, makes him a formidable opponent for any batting lineup.Ashwin's success in the WTC is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sport. He has consistently performed at the highest level, showcasing his class and skill on the international stage.As India continues its quest for WTC glory, Ashwin will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. His experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable as the team aims to secure a place in the final and challenge for the coveted trophy.

In a dramatic turn of events during the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, Sarfaraz Khan's unwavering conviction led to the dismissal of Will Young, stealing a crucial wicket for the hosts.The incident occurred in the 24th over of New Zealand's innings. Young, batting on 18, attempted to glance a delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin to the fine-leg boundary. However, he missed the ball, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant collected it cleanly behind the stumps.Despite Pant's uncertainty, Sarfaraz, positioned at short-leg, was adamant that he had heard a faint sound. As the countdown to review commenced, Sarfaraz pleaded with skipper Rohit Sharma to send the decision upstairs. With Virat Kohli also backing his claim, Rohit reluctantly agreed.The Ultra-Edge technology subsequently confirmed a slight spike as the ball passed Young's glove. The Indian team erupted in jubilation as Sarfaraz's instincts proved correct. Ashwin claimed his second wicket of the morning session, having earlier dismissed Tom Latham for 15.Sarfaraz's unwavering belief and the subsequent review not only highlighted the importance of close-in fielders but also showcased the growing influence of technology in cricket. The incident served as a reminder that even the most subtle of sounds can make a significant difference in the outcome of a match.New Zealand ended the morning session at 92 for 2 in 31 overs, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra unbeaten on 47 and 5 respectively. The match remains evenly poised, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the crucial second Test.

KL Rahul's Time Running Out as Sarfaraz Khan's Form Mounts PressureAhead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the Indian team faced a crucial decision: whether to retain out-of-form KL Rahul or select in-form Sarfaraz Khan. After India's loss in the opening Test, the debate intensified, with many experts calling for Sarfaraz's inclusion.At the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended the speculation by opting for Sarfaraz over Rahul. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it's a sign that time is running out for Rahul."Of course, the pressure is building because of his form," Chopra said. "He hasn't really been very good in the last 8 or 10 Test matches. That's also a fact. So, time is running out."Chopra highlighted that Sarfaraz's consistent run-scoring has increased the pressure on Rahul. Since his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has played four Tests, scoring 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33, including three half-centuries and a century."Sarfaraz has already scored 150 in the last Test match," Chopra said. "That pressure is also there on KL Rahul. The team also knows that KL Rahul is basically an opener, but he has been pushed up and down the order way too many times. It is not fair for someone to always be in the line of fire and asked to adjust."Chopra emphasized that while the team is still backing Rahul, ultimately, it's about scoring runs. "There will be pressure on KL Rahul now. There's no doubt about it," he said.Rahul's struggles in red-ball cricket have been well-documented. In his last 10 Test matches, he has averaged just 26.70, with only one half-century. His poor form has raised questions about his place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz knocking on the door.The second Test in Pune will be a crucial one for Rahul. If he fails to perform, it could spell the end of his Test career. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the Indian team.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Gavaskar criticized the move, suggesting it indicated "panic" from the team management.India entered the second Test trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, making three changes to their lineup. New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bat first at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. India dropped Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and KL Rahul. Shubman Gill returned to the side, Akash Deep replaced Siraj, and Washington Sundar was included for his first Test match since March 2021.Gavaskar commented on the team changes during the match. "I do not see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar's inclusion tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion," he said.Gavaskar questioned the decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav, noting his potential effectiveness against New Zealand's left-handed batters. "Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander," he added.With pressure on India to secure a win in Pune, Gavaskar's comments highlight the critical nature of team selection decisions as they aim to preserve their home dominance and secure a spot in the WTC final.