Cricket

As India embark on a highly anticipated five-match Test series against Australia, star batter Virat Kohli stands on the cusp of etching his name into the annals of cricket history. The former India captain, who endured a disappointing home Test series against New Zealand, will be eager to make amends and shatter several records during the tour.Kohli, who has amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08 in Australia, needs just 458 more to surpass batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as India's all-time leading run scorer in Tests Down Under. Tendulkar, who toured Australia for the final time during the 2011-12 series, accumulated 1809 runs in 20 away Tests against the Aussies, averaging an impressive 53.20.Kohli is also the joint leader in terms of centuries scored by an Indian batter in Australia, alongside Tendulkar. Both players have notched up six Test centuries on Australian soil. The upcoming series presents Kohli with an opportunity to break this record and establish himself as the most prolific Indian century-maker in Australia.In the lead-up to the first Test, Kohli has dominated headlines in Australian media. Opposition players have heaped praise on the former India captain, but all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has injected a touch of humor into the build-up. Marsh joked that he plans to shoulder charge Kohli whenever he reaches 30 runs.Meanwhile, pacer Mitchell Starc, who played alongside Kohli for two seasons in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has indicated that he has no intention of engaging in sledging with the talismanic batter. Starc believes that the focus should be on the cricket and enjoying the contest.Kohli's quest for records and his ability to rise to the occasion against formidable opponents will be closely watched throughout the series. If he can overcome the challenges posed by Australia's formidable bowling attack and achieve his goals, he will further cement his status as one of the greatest batters of all time.

Delhi's young speedster Harshit Rana has emerged as a potential contender for the third pacer's slot in India's playing XI for the opening Test against Australia in Perth. With just 10 first-class matches under his belt, Rana has impressed with his consistent pace over 140 kph and his ability to extract good bounce.During India's nets at the WACA ground in Perth, Rana troubled the batters with his raw pace on several occasions. India's bowling coach Morne Morkel spent considerable time with the Karnataka man, who was also impressive during the recent A series against Australia at Mackay and Melbourne.Rana's challenge for the third pacer's role comes at the expense of senior teammate Prasidh Krishna, who has experience of playing two Tests and can also hit the top of off-stump. However, Rana's consistent pace and bounce could give him an edge in the Perth conditions.Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's international comeback might take place in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it could happen during the second half of the series. The BCCI medical team and national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to check if his body is holding up after multiple games, even though it's a white-ball format tournament.Shami, who appeared in a competitive match after a year, was impressive in his outing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at Indore, returning with a seven-wicket match haul in his side's first victory of the season. However, the selection committee doesn't want to take chances by fast-tracking Shami after just one Ranji Trophy match, having completed an extensive rehabilitation program.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has opined that India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand could serve as a wake-up call for the team. India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been dealt a significant blow by this defeat, their first home Test series loss in 12 years.Hayden believes that the loss could be a "kick up the ae" that India needs. Despite their poor performance in the series, Hayden believes that India's experience in long-format cricket will give them an advantage in their upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Hayden also commented on the selection of Nathan McSweeney as an opener for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney has impressed in recent matches, and Hayden believes that he has the potential to be a successful Test opener."Time will tell," Hayden said. "From a former opening batsman's point of view, I'd like to just confirm that he's a good choice."Hayden emphasized that the most important qualities for a Test opener are character and the ability to handle the pressure of international cricket. He believes that McSweeney possesses these qualities and has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Australian team.

India's Test Squad Bolstered with Padikkal and Rana for Australia SeriesWith captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill unavailable for the first Test against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called up Devdutt Padikkal as a batting backup. Padikkal, who was touring with the India A squad, will join the 18-member Test squad for the match at the Opus Stadium in Perth.Padikkal, a left-handed batsman, is expected to fill the No. 3 spot in the batting order. He has experience playing in Australian conditions, having made his Test debut against England at Dharamsala earlier this year.In addition to Padikkal, Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Harshit Rana is also likely to make his Test debut in Perth. Rana impressed in the match simulation at Perth, particularly with his bouncers. He has taken 43 wickets in 10 first-class matches and was called up as a net bowler during India's home Test series against New Zealand.Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Bumrah previously captained India in the rescheduled 2022 Test against England at Edgbaston, which India lost by 7 wickets.The Indian team is currently in Perth preparing for the first Test, which begins on December 17. The series is crucial for both teams, as it will determine who will qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Justin Langer Warns Against Underestimating India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has cautioned against underestimating the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, despite their recent series loss to New Zealand. Langer emphasized the strength and resilience of the Indian team, highlighting their past successes in Australia."One thing you never do is write off champions, and that's in every sport, because they are a champion for a reason," Langer told The West Australian. "In India, there are one and a half billion cricket-loving people, and then count all the rest around the world, they expect nothing but excellence, and the team will be under intense pressure, so how they fight back will be important."Langer acknowledged the pressure on the Indian team but expressed his belief in their ability to bounce back. He also highlighted the star power within the Indian lineup, urging fans to savor their presence."And they'll be getting written off for being too old, but people say that all the time, and I just can't wait to see them play. I just hope, if this is the last time (Kohli) is out here, people enjoy it because he is a superstar, so is Rohit Sharma, so is (Ravi) Ashwin, so is (Ravi) Jadeja, so is (Jasprit) Bumrah."Langer drew parallels between the Australian and Indian teams, both boasting experienced bowling attacks, and encouraged fans to appreciate these players while they are still active."It's the same with the Australians; the bowling attack is a very senior attack now... so really enjoy it while you can; they are not going to be around forever,"To secure a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year, India needs to win at least four matches in the series. Langer believes India's recent loss to New Zealand might fuel their determination, making them a formidable opponent for Australia."India losing to New Zealand is a bit like North Melbourne beating Brisbane in the grand final at the moment. And not for one millisecond is that disrespect for New Zealand, because they are the great overachievers; they are brilliant."He acknowledged New Zealand's achievement in winning the series 3-0, emphasizing the pressure India will face to make amends for their performance."I think they'd won two Test matches (in India), and to win the series 3-0, that's an amazing achievement. They've just been beaten three-nil by New Zealand, so India will be humbled by that and equally determined to remedy it because the pressure on them will be intense."

As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia draws near, the Indian team's three-day practice game against India A has provided valuable insights into their preparations.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released snippets from the practice game, which was closed to fans. The footage reveals that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were in impressive form, troubling the India A batters with their pace and accuracy. Harshit Rana, who is yet to make his India debut, also showcased his bowling prowess.On the batting front, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad were among those spotted in the video. India's fielding was also sharp, with some fine catches taken in the slips. Gaikwad reportedly impressed with his batting on Day 2 of the practice game.However, the most surprising moment came when opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen bowling leg-spin. With uncertainty surrounding the availability of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the opening Test in Perth, Jaiswal's part-time spin bowling could be an option for head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management.India enter the series on the back of a disappointing 0-3 home sweep against New Zealand. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin struggled to perform, leading to a humbling defeat. While Rohit is unlikely to play in the first Test against Australia, India will also miss Shubman Gill, who fractured his thumb during the practice game. KL Rahul, who sustained an elbow injury in the same match, has resumed net practice ahead of the series opener.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence in Perth next week, and former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes a strong start is crucial for India's chances of retaining the trophy.Despite a disappointing 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, Harbhajan remains optimistic about India's batting lineup. He attributes the poor performance against New Zealand to the contrasting home conditions, which will be vastly different from the bouncy pitches in Australia."I am not considering the cricket India played recently because conditions were different," Harbhajan said. "Australia will have good conditions. Pitches will be good."Harbhajan believes India has a 50-50 chance of retaining the trophy, with the batters expected to perform well on the Australian surfaces. He emphasizes the need for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara, who can grind down the opposition bowlers.However, Harbhajan warns that a loss in the series opener could create problems and increase pressure on India. "The first Test will be very important. If India start well in Perth, then the team will give a solid fight in the series. If India doesn't start well, then problems will escalate for India."Harbhajan also backs KL Rahul to shine in Australia, despite his struggles in the home season. "KL Rahul has been criticized so much. He is a class player."After the Perth Test, India will have a 10-day break before the day-night Test in Adelaide. The third Test will be held in Brisbane, followed by the Boxing-Day match in Melbourne. The New Year's Test will start from January 3 in Sydney.

Virat Kohli Faces Pressure in Upcoming Test Series Against AustraliaFormer Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could put significant pressure on Indian batsman Virat Kohli. India and Australia will face off in a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd in Perth. India enters the series having won the last four encounters, but a recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand raises questions about their current form.Kohli, a linchpin of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, has experienced a recent dip in form, averaging just 22.72 in six Test matches this year. With injuries potentially sidelining key batsmen Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Kohli's performance.McGrath suggests that Australia will be looking to exploit any vulnerability, stating, "So put the pressure on them and see if they're up for it." While Kohli boasts an impressive average of 54.08 in his previous four tours of Australia, McGrath believes the Indian batsman's emotional nature could be a factor in the upcoming series."I think he's probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it. I think he's quite an emotional player. When he's up, he's up, and when he's down, he sort of struggles a little bit," McGrath added.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern for Indian fans, and McGrath's comments will only add to the pressure on the star batsman. India will need Kohli to be at his best if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Alyssa Healy's hopes of playing in Australia's upcoming ODI series against India are hanging in the balance after she was ruled out of the remainder of the WBBL with a knee injury.The Sydney Sixers captain sustained the injury to her left knee during the team's last-start loss to the Brisbane Heat. The injury is not believed to be serious enough to rule her out of the multi-format Ashes, which begin on January 12, but it does cast doubt on her availability for the three-match ODI series against India, which starts just four days after the WBBL final.Healy has been battling injuries throughout the summer, having entered the WBBL with a foot injury that ended her T20 World Cup campaign early. She also missed the Sixers' last match due to body management.The injury is a significant blow to the Sixers, who are now facing the prospect of needing to win their last three matches to make the WBBL finals. If Healy does miss the international matches, Tahlia McGrath would be expected to deputise as captain again after doing so in the World Cup.Healy's injury highlights the challenges faced by female athletes in managing their workload during a busy summer schedule. The Australian captain has been open about the need to manage her pain and function throughout the summer, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to play in all of the upcoming matches.