Cricket

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will face a formidable challenge from India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, as the visitors aim for an unprecedented third consecutive series win on Australian soil. India's quest will be spearheaded by new captain Rohit Sharma, who is eager to etch his name in history.The series opener will commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated clash between two cricketing powerhouses. India has enjoyed remarkable success in Australia in recent years, securing back-to-back series victories under Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.Cummins, however, is confident in his team's ability to halt India's winning streak. "Yes, yes is the answer," he declared when asked about Australia's chances. He acknowledged India's strong organization and planning but expressed confidence in his team's recent successes in the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup.India's pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who has an impressive record in Australia. Cummins identified Bumrah as India's X-factor, highlighting his ability to play a pivotal role in the series.The absence of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane from India's squad has been noted by Cummins. He praised Pujara's resilience and acknowledged the challenge of facing him. "It's going to feel a bit different without him," Cummins said.India's young bowling trio of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep will be eager to make their mark in the series, while Australia will rely on the experience of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. India will be determined to continue their dominance in Australia, while Cummins and his team will be equally determined to reclaim the trophy.

India's T20I dominance in 2024 reached unprecedented heights, culminating in a record-breaking series win over South Africa. With a massive 283-run total in Johannesburg, India secured a 3-1 series victory and cemented their status as the world's leading T20I team.The year marked a remarkable turnaround for India, who had endured a disappointing ODI World Cup final defeat earlier in the year. However, the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA proved to be a transformative moment, as India went unbeaten throughout the tournament to claim their second T20 World Cup title.The triumph was a testament to the team's aggressive and fearless approach, led by Suryakumar Yadav, who took over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped away from the format. India's win percentage of 92.31 in T20Is was the highest ever by any team, surpassing Pakistan's previous record.Individually, Sanju Samson emerged as a standout performer, becoming the first player to score three centuries in T20Is. He finished the year as India's top run-getter with 436 runs, averaging over 40 and striking at an impressive 180. Tilak Varma also impressed with two centuries and a strike rate of over 187.India's batting prowess was evident throughout the year, as they scored 200-plus totals nine times, including three in the series against South Africa. They also set a record for the most team centuries in a calendar year in T20Is, with seven centuries in total.On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh led the charge with 36 wickets in 18 matches, the highest haul for a Test-playing nation bowler this year. Indian bowlers averaged 8.39 wickets per innings, the highest-ever among Test-playing nations in a calendar year.Overall, India's performance in 2024 was a testament to their aggressive and fearless approach, which has transformed them into the world's leading T20I team.

India's cricket team has achieved a remarkable triumph in their T20 International series against South Africa, securing a resounding 3-1 victory. The series win is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they faced a formidable opponent on their home turf.Led by stand-in captain V.V.S. Laxman, India showcased their depth and talent throughout the series. Young batters Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson emerged as key contributors, while experienced all-rounder Varun Chakravarty played a pivotal role with his exceptional bowling.In the first match of the series, India set a challenging target of 212 runs, which South Africa failed to chase down. Varma and Samson played crucial knocks of 48 and 63, respectively, while Chakravarty claimed three wickets.The second match saw India suffer a narrow defeat, but they bounced back strongly in the third match. Samson once again starred with a blistering 86 off just 59 deliveries, while Chakravarty continued his impressive form with another three-wicket haul.In the final match of the series, India produced a dominant performance to secure a massive 135-run victory. Varma and Samson continued their impressive run with half-centuries, while Chakravarty and fellow spinner Axar Patel shared seven wickets between them.Laxman hailed the team's performance as "a special effort," praising their spirit and determination. He highlighted the contributions of the young players and the support provided by the non-playing members.Captain Suryakumar Yadav also expressed his delight with the series win, describing it as "special." He credited the team's collective effort and the fearless approach they displayed throughout the series.India's T20I series triumph against South Africa is a significant achievement, demonstrating the team's potential and their ability to compete at the highest level. The victory will provide a much-needed boost of confidence as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma is facing a race against time to be fit for the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting November 22 in Perth. Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child on Friday, and his availability for the first Test remains uncertain.In Rohit's absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the Indian team. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will take over the captaincy duties if Rohit is unavailable. Former India player Suresh Raina has endorsed Bumrah's leadership credentials, comparing him to Australia's Pat Cummins, who led the Aussies to victory in the World Test Championship and Cricket World Cup in 2023."For Bumrah, it's going to be a new opportunity. I think he is a good leader and has a good cricketing brain. Even Gauti bhai (coach Gautam Gambhir) said in the media that Jasprit has that astute leadership (quality), and I think he will be different," Raina told Times of India."Like if you see Pat Cummins, he won the World Cup for them (Australia), has done really well as a player and as a captain. I think Bumrah is close to that. If you look at it from the point of an opportunity, it's a gun opportunity for him. If he does well, I think we will have a future leader in Test cricket," he added.Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will lead the team in Perth if Rohit is unavailable. However, Rohit has not been officially ruled out of the series opener, and Gambhir has stated that the team will provide an update on his status closer to the start of the series.India's preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been overshadowed by their recent 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand at home. The loss has made their path to the World Test Championship final more challenging. To qualify for the final in London, India must win the series against Australia by 4-0.

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just a week away, the uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test continues to linger. The Indian captain is expected to miss the first match in Perth, starting November 22, due to the birth of his second child. However, neither Rohit nor head coach Gautam Gambhir have provided a definitive answer, leaving the team in a state of limbo.Former India player Mohammad Kaif has expressed his concern over this situation, stating that it is not ideal for the team in such a crucial series. India needs to win the five-match Test series 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on external factors. A poor result in Australia could jeopardize their chances of reaching the summit clash."This scenario is completely wrong. You want your best team to play such a big Test match. Rohit Sharma should be there. He will open for India in the series and exactly knows how to lead the team. Rohit has every right to miss a game due to family matter but he should inform early. The suspense is not ideal," said Kaif in a video on his YouTube channel.Kaif believes that Rohit's hesitation to confirm his availability stems from his desire to play. He knows that the team lost 3-0 to New Zealand in their previous Test series and is eager to make amends. "Rohit might not have given confirmation about his availability because he wants to play. He knows the team has lost 3-0 to New Zealand. His wife is pregnant but if things are better at home, he will be there in Australia. That is why he has not announced about his unavailability yet. I think he wholeheartedly wants to go there and play," he added.Earlier this week, Gambhir stated that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side if Rohit is unavailable. However, Kaif believes that this is not an ideal solution. "No player agrees to captain a side for one game. It is not a good idea as well. It would be much better if Rohit leads India in the opening game," he said.The uncertainty surrounding Rohit's availability has created a sense of unease within the Indian team. With such a crucial series on the horizon, they need clarity and stability in their leadership. The sooner Rohit makes a decision, the better it will be for the team's preparation and morale.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. Sharma and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on Friday night, and the Indian captain has decided to stay back in Mumbai to spend time with his family.Sharma's absence from the first Test will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket, including 30 centuries, and is considered one of the best openers in the game.In Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test. Bumrah is one of the world's leading fast bowlers, and he will be looking to make a statement as captain. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature due to a fractured thumb.The Indian team left for Perth in two batches on November 10 and 11, with Sharma staying back in Mumbai for the birth of his child. The team has been preparing for the Test series in Perth, and they will be hoping to start the series with a win.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 17 in Perth. The series is expected to be closely contested, and Sharma's absence from the first Test will give Australia a slight advantage. However, the Indian team will be confident of winning the series, and they will be looking to make a strong start in Perth.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has raised concerns among former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine believes that Gambhir's "prickly" coaching style may not be a good fit for the team, especially in the wake of their recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.Paine highlighted the contrast between Gambhir's approach and that of former coach Ravi Shastri, who was known for his positive and motivating style. He expressed concern that Gambhir's "prickly" nature could create a tense atmosphere within the team, especially under pressure.Paine's comments stem from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting's remarks on Virat Kohli's struggling form. Gambhir's response, which Paine described as "prickly," has raised questions about his ability to handle criticism and stay calm under pressure.Paine believes that Gambhir's biggest concern is not the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, but his own ability to remain composed under pressure. He emphasized that the coach's demeanor can have a significant impact on the team's performance, especially in a high-stakes environment like the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's appointment has also raised questions about the future of the Indian team. The team has struggled in recent months, and the loss to New Zealand has further dented their confidence. Paine believes that if India fails to start strong in the Perth Test, it could be a "long summer" for Gambhir and the team.

Sanju Samson has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. This remarkable feat cements his status as one of the most explosive batters in the shortest format of the game.Samson's extraordinary run began with his maiden T20I hundred against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12. He reached the century mark in just 40 balls, the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in T20I cricket. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed 111 off 47 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowlers.Building on this, Samson continued his extraordinary form against South Africa. In the first T20I of the ongoing India-South Africa series, he hammered his second T20I century, scoring 107 off 50 balls with 7 boundaries and 10 sixes. In Johannesburg on Friday (November 15, 2024), he dominated the South African bowlers once again, finishing unbeaten on 109 off 56 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 9 sixes.With these performances, Samson not only became the first Indian but also the second player overall to score two centuries in a single T20I series. England's Phil Salt was the first to achieve this feat, scoring two centuries against the West Indies in December 2023.Adding to the fireworks, Tilak Varma also showcased his prowess by scoring his second T20I century in the same series, becoming the second Indian and third overall to achieve this feat. Varma delivered a scintillating unbeaten 120 off 47 balls, featuring 9 sixes and 10 fours. His contribution helped set a massive target of 284 runs for South Africa to chase in their 20 overs.Samson's remarkable achievement has not only earned him accolades but has also raised expectations for his future performances. As India gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson's explosive batting will be a crucial asset for the team. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace and clear the boundaries with ease makes him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack.

Virat Kohli's recent batting struggles have become a major talking point ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. The former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Australian pacers will target Kohli from the outset, given his lean patch in 2024.Kohli has managed only 488 runs in 25 innings across 19 international matches this year, averaging a meager 20.33. His Test numbers in the lead-up to the BGT have been equally dismal, with just 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand and 99 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh.Manjrekar believes that the Australian bowlers will exploit Kohli's tendency to leave balls outside the off-stump and drive anything pitched up. They will also try to cramp him for room and attack his body, a tactic that New Zealand employed successfully."Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned," Manjrekar said. "They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. These days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that is pitched right up, he will look to drive.""Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one (plan) of landing a ball on the middle stump, which Josh Hazlewood would try," he added.Kohli's form will be crucial to India's chances of retaining the BGT and qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The visitors need to win four of the five Tests Down Under, a daunting task that will require a significant contribution from their star batsman.