Cricket

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has hailed Rishabh Pant as the next-best red-ball batter after Virat Kohli, predicting a significant impact from the wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Pant's aggressive approach, coupled with his exceptional talent, has made him a formidable force in Test cricket, particularly against Australia. His fearless batting in the fourth Test in Brisbane in 2021 played a pivotal role in India's historic victory, earning him the moniker "Toota Hai Gabba Ka Ghamand."Ganguly, who has witnessed Pant's growth firsthand during their time together at Delhi Capitals in the IPL, believes the 25-year-old is a "generational talent" in red-ball cricket. "He is India's next-best red-ball batter after Kohli and could have a huge impact in the series," Ganguly said.Pant's recent performances in Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand have showcased his ability to score runs consistently. In five matches, he amassed 422 runs at an average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 86.47.In the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pant's scintillating 99, supported by Sarfaraz Khan, provided a glimmer of hope for India when they were struggling.Ganguly emphasized that while Pant still needs to improve his game in white-ball cricket, his talent in red-ball cricket is undeniable. "Look at the innings he has played in England, Australia, and South Africa, and you will know, he is a generational talent in red-ball cricket," Ganguly said.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to begin on Friday in Perth, all eyes will be on Pant to continue his impressive form and make a significant contribution to India's quest for a third consecutive World Test Championship final appearance.

New Zealand's historic Test series sweep in India has not only bolstered their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign but also added a historic feat to their resume. The last time India suffered a whitewash at home was in 2000, and Tom Latham's leadership ensured New Zealand capitalized on challenging conditions.Fresh off their triumph, Latham and former skipper Kane Williamson celebrated their victory in style by attending a Coldplay concert in Auckland. Williamson, who missed the entire India series due to a groin injury, shared a video of the concert on Instagram, captioning it, "What a gig! #coldplay."The series win has not only boosted New Zealand's WTC standing but also added a significant achievement to their cricketing history. Latham's leadership was instrumental in guiding the BlackCaps to their first-ever Test series clean sweep in India.As Williamson gears up for a potential comeback against England in the upcoming home series, all eyes will be on the star batter. The 34-year-old is tantalizingly close to achieving another milestone, needing just five runs to surpass 1,000 Test runs against England. He has already crossed the mark against Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, further solidifying his status as one of cricket's modern greats.Coldplay, the iconic British rock band, is currently on their global "Music of the Spheres" World Tour, attracting fans from all walks of life. Williamson and Latham aren't the only players to embrace the band’s magic. Recently, Australian captain Pat Cummins, bound to lead the team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22, was also spotted at a Coldplay concert.

A verbal clash has erupted between Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and Australian legend Ricky Ponting, igniting a war of words that has drawn reactions from former cricketers.The controversy began when Ponting criticized Virat Kohli's recent form and questioned his place in the Test team. Gambhir, in a press conference, reacted strongly, urging Ponting to focus on his own team.However, Gambhir's comments have sparked criticism from some former players, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan. Vaughan, in a podcast discussion, labeled Gambhir as a "spicy" coach and expressed disagreement with his stance on barring foreign pundits from commenting on the Indian team.Vaughan argued that punditry should not be restricted to former players of a particular team. He pointed out that many foreign pundits have valuable insights and perspectives to offer."I don't quite agree with Gautam," Vaughan said. "But I do like a bit of spice and I like the fact that he is going to be very prickly."Vaughan also predicted that Gambhir's prickly nature could lead to challenges for the Indian team as they face setbacks in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.As the series progresses, more verbal battles are expected between Gambhir and retired cricketers working as pundits. The clash highlights the growing tension between coaches and pundits, with coaches seeking to protect their teams from external criticism.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed concerns over India's decision to forgo a warm-up match ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Vaughan believes that the lack of match practice could hinder India's ability to get into a "competitive mindset" and adapt to the Australian conditions.India has opted to focus on center-wicket training at the WACA in Perth instead of playing an intra-squad game or a match against an Australian domestic side. The Indian think tank believes that the bounce of the WACA center strip closely mirrors that of the Perth Stadium pitch, making it more beneficial for the top-order batters to spend time in the middle.However, Vaughan argues that match practice is essential for players to get into the rhythm of competitive cricket. He points out that Australia has also skipped warm-up matches in recent Test tours, but their players have a different mindset and are accustomed to playing 12 months of the year.Vaughan believes that the modern player may not prioritize tour matches, relying instead on the volume of cricket they play throughout the year. However, he emphasizes the importance of winning and setting a marker in the first match of a series.India's decision to forgo a warm-up match has raised questions about their preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the Indian think tank believes that center-wicket training is sufficient, Vaughan's concerns highlight the importance of match practice in getting players ready for the rigors of Test cricket.

India's decision to conduct closed-door practice sessions ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener in Perth has raised concerns among cricket experts. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali believes it reflects a lack of confidence within the Indian team.India has dominated the BGT for a decade, but their recent form has been inconsistent. They were whitewashed 0-3 in the home Test series against New Zealand and have struggled to find their rhythm in red-ball cricket. The absence of star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who is expected to miss the first Test, has further compounded their problems.Basit Ali believes that India's closed-door practice sessions are a sign of their low confidence. "The Indian team's confidence at the moment is down," he said. "They are practicing behind closed doors, sorry to say that."He added that India should have played more warm-up matches to prepare for the Australian conditions. "The kind of preparation they should have had before the series is not there," he said. "They should have played (warm-up) matches and tackled their (Australian) bowling."Basit Ali also suggested that India should consider including wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI for the Perth Test. Jurel impressed with knocks of 80 and 68 in the unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Melbourne."My personal opinion is that Jurel, who is in form, should be included in the playing eleven," Basit said. "In Australia, whosoever is in form should be played...So what if he (usually) bats at No. 5 or 6! Push him to No. 3. He has guts, is a good player of the cut and pull shots. It might pay."Basit Ali also advised Virat Kohli to practice more against left-arm fast bowlers, especially Khaleel Ahmed. "Let me give one piece of advice," he said. "I think Khaleel (Ahmed) is there. Practice more against the left-arm (fast) bowler, especially Virat Kohli."The first Test of the BGT begins in Perth on November 22. India will be looking to defend their title and extend their dominance in the series.

Mohammed Shami's recent return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff has sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in India's Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that rushing Shami into Test cricket after just one game may be premature.In his Ranji Trophy comeback match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, Shami bowled 43.2 overs and claimed a seven-wicket haul. While his performance was encouraging, Chopra feels that Shami still needs more time to regain his full fitness and rhythm."Mohammed Shami has played a match (Ranji). We weren't able to see much of his bowling as it was not being streamed. We did see the wickets he took. I'd say he is undercooked," Chopra said. "Honestly, we want Shami to be there (in Australia) because Bumrah, Shami, Siraj -- there's a different ring to it. In Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep combination, we can see a bit of weakness. Lack of experience can be felt."Chopra also expressed concerns about the potential for injury recurrence in Australia's soft grounds. "Secondly, the grounds in Australia are very soft, so there are chances of recurrence of injury. I would say Shami should take more time. We all want Shami to play as soon as possible, but we shouldn't hurry his return," he added.India's pace department for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Washington Sundar are the three spinners in the squad.The first Test between India and Australia begins on November 22 in Perth.

India's recent 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand has cast a shadow over their upcoming 5-Test series in Australia. However, amidst the gloom, there are reasons for optimism, particularly in the team's pace attack.Led by the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, India's fast bowlers have the potential to trouble the Australian batters on the bouncy surfaces Down Under. Bumrah, with his exceptional skills and experience, is a proven match-winner. Mohammed Siraj, with his pace and accuracy, is another key asset. Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana complete a formidable pace battery.The pitches in Australia will provide a different challenge compared to the spin-friendly conditions in India. The Indian pacers will need to adjust their lengths and exploit the bounce. Bumrah's experience and Siraj's adaptability make them ideal for these conditions.Former India pacer L Balaji believes India should play with only four bowlers in the first Test, including Ravindra Jadeja as the fourth option. He emphasizes the importance of a strong batting lineup, with a minimum of 250 runs required to support the bowlers.While Australia's top order has not been in the best form, they still pose a threat. Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith are experienced campaigners. However, the Indian bowling attack has the ability to restrict them to below 250 runs, especially on helpful surfaces.India's batting, however, remains a concern. Their recent struggles against New Zealand's pacers have raised questions about their ability to handle the Australian conditions. Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill (although injured for the first Test) have the potential to score big, but they need to perform consistently.Despite the challenges, India has a history of fighting back in Australia. They have overcome adversity in the past, and they will need to do so again to succeed in this series. The Australian team knows that India is a formidable opponent, and they will be wary of their potential.

Virat Kohli's 2014-15 Border Gavaskar Trophy heroics against Australia, where he scored four centuries and a fifty, ignited a fierce rivalry with Mitchell Johnson. The former Australian pacer, in a recent column, recalled their intense on-field battles, acknowledging Kohli's unwavering determination and competitive spirit.Johnson's strategy was to unsettle Kohli early in his innings, hoping to provoke a reaction that would disrupt his focus. However, Kohli proved to be a formidable opponent, using Johnson's aggression as fuel to power his performances.One notable incident occurred during the Boxing Day Test, when Johnson's throw at the stumps hit Kohli, sparking a verbal exchange. Kohli's subsequent comments about Johnson's lack of respect further fueled the rivalry.Despite Johnson's attempts to rattle Kohli, the Indian superstar remained unfazed, scoring a brilliant 169 in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. Johnson admitted that getting Kohli out early was crucial, as he could quickly turn the tide of the match.However, Kohli's recent form has been a far cry from his peak. In his last 10 Test innings, he has managed only 99 runs against Bangladesh and 93 against New Zealand. As India prepares for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Kohli's ability to regain his former dominance will be crucial for their chances of success.The first Test of the five-match series begins on November 22 in Perth, with India needing to win four matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final. Kohli's performance will be under intense scrutiny as he looks to silence his critics and prove that he remains a force to be reckoned with.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a worldwide Trophy Tour for the Men's Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. However, the initial plans to conduct the tour in contested regions of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoJK) sparked objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, promptly opposed the PCB's unilateral decision and called for ICC intervention. Subsequently, the ICC suspended the tour and issued a revised schedule excluding PoJK locations.Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev emphasized that such matters fall under governmental jurisdiction. "It's the government's responsibility. If the government says it's okay, then it's fine. People like us should not give opinions, our opinions don't matter," he said.The international Trophy Tour will commence in Islamabad, where the trophy will be displayed at Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and Pakistan Monument. Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the tour.The tour will then visit prominent Pakistani cities including Karachi, Abbottabad, and Taxila before proceeding internationally. The ICC stated that the tour will offer unique engagement opportunities for global supporters through vibrant activities aligned with the event's refreshed visual identity.ICC Chief Commercial Officer Anurag Dahiya welcomed the event's launch, stating, "We are delighted to launch the Trophy Tour with DP World ahead of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, where another action-packed programme of activity is available to fans across the world."He elaborated on the fan experience, noting, "The silverware, which will be showcased across all participating nations, will allow the sport's passionate fanbase to enjoy the unforgettable experience of being up close with the iconic trophy."