Cricket

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.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20 internationals has paved the way for emerging talents like Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson to shine. In India's recent tour of South Africa, the duo showcased their exceptional batting prowess, leading the team to a 3-1 series victory.Tilak Varma emerged as a standout performer, scoring two consecutive centuries in the four-match series. His unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls in the fourth match was a testament to his aggressive and fearless approach. Varma's knock included 10 sixes and 9 fours, making him only the fifth batsman in T20I history to achieve the feat of back-to-back centuries.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson also played a crucial role in India's success. Opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma, Samson hammered an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls, including 6 fours and 9 sixes. The Varma-Samson pair added an impressive 210 runs in their undefeated second-wicket partnership, marking the first instance of two batsmen making centuries in the same T20I contest between two Full Member teams.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif expressed his admiration for the duo's performances, stating that even Kohli and Rohit would have been impressed. "Two players will be the happiest: one is Virat Kohli and the other Rohit Sharma," said Kaif. "Even they would not have imagined that when they retire (from T20Is), we will get players who will take India forward in such fashion, with such powerful batting."Kaif praised Varma's ability to repay skipper Suryakumar Yadav's trust by delivering at the crucial number three position. He also lauded Samson's consistency, noting that he either scores a zero or a hundred.India's victory was a collective effort, with all six bowlers used by captain Suryakumar Yadav contributing to the Proteas' dismissal. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the charts with his spell of 3 for 20, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets apiece.The performance of Varma and Samson has given Indian cricket fans hope for the future, proving that the team has the talent to continue its success even after the departure of its legendary batsmen.

India's dominance in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg was a testament to their all-round brilliance. The visitors clinched the series 3-1 with a resounding 135-run victory, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.Chasing a mammoth 284-run target, South Africa's hopes were shattered by the brilliance of pacer Arshdeep Singh. His devastating spell reduced the hosts to a disastrous 10/4 within just three overs, effectively ending the contest early. Singh's ability to swing the ball both ways proved too much for the South African batsmen, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession.David Miller and Tristan Stubbs attempted to salvage the innings with an 86-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Stubbs fell off the very next ball after Miller's dismissal, and South Africa were eventually bowled out in the 19th over. Marco Jansen's late hitting provided some consolation, but it was too little, too late.Earlier, India had set a commanding 283/1, their highest-ever T20I score overseas and the highest by any team on South African soil. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the architects of this record-breaking total, combining for a 210-run partnership for the second wicket.Samson, who had already struck a century in the first game, once again showcased his precision and elegance, scoring 109* off 56 balls. Varma, batting at number three, continued his sensational form with a muscular 120* off 47 balls. The duo's centuries marked a rare feat in T20I cricket, with two Indian batters reaching the milestone in the same innings.Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, setting the tone in the Powerplay with four huge sixes. On a flat track offering true bounce, the Indian batsmen were in full flow, hammering a record 23 sixes. Samson's nine maximums were just one shy of Varma's 10.India's comprehensive victory in the fourth T20I was a fitting end to a successful series. Their all-round performance, led by the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma, proved too much for South Africa to handle.

In a historic display of batting prowess, India shattered records and left South Africa's bowlers bewildered in the fourth and final T20I at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma etched their names in the annals of cricket history, becoming the first pair to score centuries in the same T20I innings.Samson, known for his audacious strokeplay, unleashed a whirlwind knock of 109* off just 56 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 6 fours and 9 towering sixes. Varma, the young prodigy, matched Samson's brilliance with a stunning 120* off a mere 47 balls, smashing 9 fours and 10 sixes.India's batting onslaught propelled them to a mammoth 283/1, the highest total ever recorded in a T20I between two Full Member sides. The previous record of 297/6, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, was shattered by this extraordinary performance.The partnership between Samson and Varma was equally remarkable, reaching a staggering 210* runs. This became the highest partnership for any wicket for India and the highest partnership for any wicket against South Africa in a T20I. It also stands as the highest partnership for the second wicket or below in all T20Is.India's batting fireworks extended to the six-hitting department, as they smashed a record 23 sixes. This surpassed the previous best of 22 sixes, which had been achieved by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, by West Indies against South Africa in Centurion in 2023, and by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.Samson's century was his third in T20Is in 2024, making him the first player ever to achieve this feat in a calendar year. He has now been involved in three 170+ T20I partnerships, the most for any batter.India also set a new record for the fewest overs taken to reach 200 runs in a T20I, achieving the milestone in just 14.1 overs. This surpassed the previous best of 13.5 overs, set by South Africa against West Indies in Centurion in 2023, and 13.6 overs, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

India, with an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match T20I series against South Africa, is poised to secure a historic series victory. The Proteas, despite being unable to win the series, will aim to salvage a 2-2 draw.For the fourth and final match, India may consider handing debuts to pacers Vijakumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh made his T20I debut in the third match, and the management may opt to give more players their first caps.India has utilized 12 of its 15 players in the series, and it remains to be seen if either Dayal or Vyshak will be given a chance to showcase their skills. Sanju Samson, who has struggled against Marco Jansen in recent matches, will be eager to break out of his slump.Skipper Surya Kumar Yadav may consider using Ramandeep Singh's medium pace in the final game, as he offers versatility and can field anywhere except as a wicketkeeper.Centuries from Samson and Tilak Varma have been crucial for India's success in the series, but the team will need a more collective batting effort to clinch a 3-1 victory.The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg has been a favorable venue for India, where they won the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Yadav, who has an impressive victory percentage of 81.25 as captain, will aim to improve upon the 1-1 draw in the previous series in South Africa.