Cricket

As India embarks on a three-Test series against New Zealand, the spotlight falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the young prodigies tasked with carrying the torch of Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, these two rising stars must prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to lead the team into the future.Jaiswal and Gill have shown immense promise in recent times. Gill has amassed three centuries and two fifties in his last 10 Test innings, while Jaiswal boasts a 214 and five fifties in his last eight outings. However, they face challenges that they must overcome to establish themselves as reliable pillars of the Indian batting lineup.Jaiswal has a tendency to play expansive shots against pace bowlers, leading to his dismissal on several occasions. Gill, too, has struggled against incoming deliveries from pacers. These weaknesses will be tested against New Zealand's capable pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, and Tim Southee.While Kohli and Rohit remain integral to the team, their recent form has been underwhelming. Kohli has not scored a fifty in six innings this year, while Rohit has managed only one fifty in his last 13 innings. The onus is on these stalwarts to rediscover their touch and provide stability to the batting order.New Zealand, on the other hand, faces its own set of problems. Their batsmen struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in their recent away series, and they will now face the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Indian soil. The Kiwis will also have to contend with the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in devastating form.India has a slight edge in terms of bowling, with Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja forming a formidable trio. However, they must decide whether to field a third pacer in Akash Deep or opt for a spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, who can provide additional batting depth.The weather forecast predicts gloomy conditions, which could lead to delayed starts and truncated sessions. This may influence India's decision-making regarding their bowling lineup.As the series unfolds, the performances of Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit will be closely scrutinized. India will be eager to assert its dominance over New Zealand, while the Kiwis will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.

Rachin Ravindra, the India-origin all-rounder, is set to make a special Test debut in Bengaluru against India, the city where his family hails from. Ravindra, who turns 25 in November, made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur."I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," said Ravindra. "It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special."Ravindra has had a promising start to his international career, scoring 672 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 50.98, including one century and three half-centuries. He has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is."There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching," added Ravindra. "Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them."Ravindra announced himself in a big way during the ODI World Cup in India last year, scoring 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries. He then went on to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, scoring 222 runs."Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match," said Ravindra. "You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away."Ravindra's useful spin bowling has also yielded 10 Test wickets so far. He is expected to play a key role in New Zealand's quest to win their first Test series in India since 1969.

Australia's pace attack, comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, has been a formidable force in recent Test matches. However, with the upcoming five-match series against India looming, selectors are considering their options in light of allrounder Cameron Green's absence due to injury.Last summer, the trio played in all nine Tests, aided by bowler-friendly conditions. However, India's formidable batting lineup poses a different challenge, raising concerns about whether Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood can maintain their workload throughout the grueling series.Australia's pace depth has been tested, with several fringe bowlers recovering from injuries. Lance Morris, a regular squad member, recently suffered a quad strain but is expected to return before the end of the month. Scott Boland and Michael Neser have overcome niggles and will participate in Australia A's upcoming red-ball series against India A.Selectors acknowledge that last summer's unchanged pace attack may have been an outlier and are prepared to make adjustments if necessary. The triumvirate's workload could increase with Green's absence, but Mitchell Marsh may be required to fill the void despite limited bowling since his hamstring injury.If selectors opt for a like-for-like replacement, Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster are potential candidates. Hardie is set to return from injury for Western Australia's next match, while Webster has impressed with his all-round abilities.Selectors emphasize that having an allrounder is a luxury rather than a necessity, as the current pace trio has performed well without one. However, they will continue to prepare Marsh to bowl some overs.Australia's hierarchy has carefully managed the workloads of their quicks ahead of the India series, with Cummins missing the white-ball England tour to rest. Cummins is unlikely to play a Shield game before the series, while Hazlewood and Starc are expected to feature in at least one match.

New Zealand's emphatic 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday has sent shockwaves through the Women's T20 World Cup, eliminating India from the tournament and securing the White Ferns a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2016.India's hopes of reaching the last four rested solely on Pakistan pulling off an upset against New Zealand, given their inferior net run rate. However, despite Pakistan's valiant efforts to restrict New Zealand to a modest 110 for six in 20 overs, their batting lineup crumbled under pressure, collapsing to a mere 56 all out in just 11.4 overs.Australia emerged as the dominant force in Group A, topping the standings with eight points, while New Zealand finished second with six points. India's fate was ultimately sealed by their loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener, a result that proved costly in the end.New Zealand's victory was orchestrated by a stellar bowling performance, with spinner Amelia Kerr claiming three wickets. However, it was the seamers, Lea Tahuhu (1/8) and Eden Carson (2/7), who set the tone for the White Ferns, opening the floodgates for a Pakistani batting collapse.Pakistan's pursuit of the target was hampered by a slow start, as they needed to reach the target in less than 12 overs to qualify. However, the pressure proved too much, and they were dismissed well before the allotted time.Earlier in the match, Pakistan's spinners, Omaima Sohail (1/14 in 4 overs) and Nashra Sandhu (3/18 in 4 overs), applied relentless pressure on the New Zealand batters, delivering 21 dot balls and taking four wickets between them for only 29 runs. Despite the efforts of openers Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17), who added 41 runs for the opening stand, the Pakistani spinners managed to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has declared his unwavering support for an aggressive "high risk, high reward" approach in Test cricket, even if it occasionally leads to low scores. This philosophy was evident in India's recent victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they chased down a target in a rain-affected match.Gambhir believes that this approach allows batters to maximize their potential and score quickly, potentially leading to match-winning performances. He acknowledges that there will be setbacks, but he is willing to accept them as part of the pursuit of success.However, Gambhir emphasizes that adaptability remains crucial. He wants his team to be able to adjust their strategy based on the situation, whether it's pushing for a win or securing a draw. He believes that this flexibility is essential for growth and success in Test cricket.Gambhir is confident in his team's ability to handle any challenge, including the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. He acknowledges the Kiwis' strength but insists that India will play "hard cricket" to achieve their desired results.Despite the upcoming challenges, including a five-Test series against Australia, Gambhir remains focused on the immediate task at hand. He believes that the team's primary goal is to win the World Test Championship in June 2025, and that the upcoming matches are crucial steps towards that objective.

New Zealand's top-order batter Rachin Ravindra has emphasized the significance of neutralizing the formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their upcoming Test series against India. Ashwin and Jadeja, with over 800 Test wickets between them, pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.Ravindra acknowledged the consistency and skill of the Indian spinners, stating, "They've got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. Ashwin and Jadeja are two very accomplished bowlers who can also bat, making them even more challenging."The 24-year-old batter drew upon his previous experiences playing in India, including the ODI World Cup and IPL, to bolster his confidence. "Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world," he said.From a team perspective, Ravindra emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game plan rather than being preoccupied with India's approach. "We know what a quality side they are, but I think if we're able to play our game and be consistent, hopefully, that will result in a win," he added.Despite their recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka and the washout against Afghanistan, Ravindra expressed confidence in the team's ability to learn from those experiences. "We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, but we came on the wrong side of the win and loss column," he said.Ravindra highlighted the need for the team to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match. "We've got to understand that we've got to do it (fighting) for long periods of time because that's what Test match cricket is about," he said.The Kiwi batter emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India, which are similar to those in Sri Lanka in terms of spin. "We have learnt a lot. So, it's about, you know, seeing how we can play our game and how we can bring that here to India," he concluded.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: A Rivalry Renewed in the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with one of the key battles being the clash between Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli and Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.In their 19 Test innings together, Kohli has dominated Starc, dismissing him once and scoring numerous runs against him. However, Starc remains unfazed and relishes the challenge of facing the Indian star."I enjoy my battles with Virat Kohli," Starc said. "We've played a lot of cricket against one another, and I always have some good battles. I've managed to get him out once or twice, and he's no doubt scored a fair few runs against me, so it's always a good contest and one we both enjoy."Starc also praised India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for his tactical acumen and team-oriented approach."He's a fantastic thinker of the game," Starc said of Gambhir. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack. It's not just individual players; it's always about the team focus."Gambhir's leadership will be crucial for India as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Starc believes Gambhir's influence will be evident."The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic," Starc said. "In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things."With Kohli and Starc set to face off once again, and Gambhir guiding India's fortunes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an unforgettable cricketing experience.

India's Gautam Gambhir Emphasizes Bowlers' Importance in Modern CricketIn the lead-up to the first Test match between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the crucial role of bowlers in the modern era of cricket. Gambhir believes that the "obsessed" mentality of batters needs to end, as bowlers now hold the key to victory.Over the past decade, Test cricket has witnessed a gradual shift from batsman-dominated matches to those where bowlers have taken center stage. The recent Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur served as a stark reminder of this evolution. Despite losing over two days of play due to rain and a soggy outfield, India adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, bowling out Bangladesh for 20 wickets to secure a historic victory.Gambhir emphasized that the era of batters dominating Test matches is over. "That era is past. This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end," he said at a press conference in Bengaluru.According to Gambhir, even if batters score a large number of runs, victory is not guaranteed. However, if the bowling unit takes 20 wickets, the team's triumph is almost assured. "If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match," he explained.Gambhir believes that bowlers win matches and tournaments, and that this mindset needs to change. "In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes," he added.Historically, matches between the 1950s and 1990s often ended in draws, even when batters were able to stay on the crease for extended periods. However, recent results indicate a shift in the balance of power towards bowlers.In the recent Test in Multan, Pakistan posted a mammoth 550 runs on the scoreboard. However, England responded with a remarkable 823/7, declaring their innings and setting the bowlers the task of securing an innings and 47 runs victory, which they duly achieved.The upcoming Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru promises to be a fascinating contest between bat and ball. India boasts a bowling attack that combines skill and experience, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the formidable New Zealand batting lineup.

India's head coach, Amol Muzumdar, expressed disappointment after their semi-final hopes were dashed by a nine-run loss to Australia. However, he praised his team's effort and urged them to learn from the experience.India's fielding was subpar, conceding "10-15 more" runs than necessary. They dropped three catches, missed a stumping, and a run-out opportunity. A crucial lbw call against Phoebe Litchfield also went in Australia's favor.Muzumdar acknowledged the importance of the Litchfield decision, saying it was "a crucial one." He also revealed that India's strategy during their chase was to keep the net run rate in check and take the game deeper.Despite the loss, Muzumdar emphasized that India's preparation had been thorough. They had two dedicated camps, one for fitness and fielding and another for skill development. He also praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her resilience, despite battling physical discomfort.Muzumdar expressed confidence in his team and their ability to bounce back. He said, "I couldn't have asked for more from my support staff and I couldn't have asked for more from the players. They gave their best in those camps. Preparation about this World Cup was thorough."India's build-up to the game had been smooth, with Pooja Vastrakar returning to the XI after recovering from a hamstring niggle. Muzumdar explained that Vastrakar's inclusion was a no-brainer, given her impressive record as one of the team's best bowlers.