Cricket

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."

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."