Cricket

Indian Cricket Team's Lighthearted Photoshoot Highlights Camaraderie Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAs the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the Indian cricket team has engaged in a lighthearted and memorable photoshoot, offering fans a glimpse into their camaraderie and the playful banter that characterizes their interactions.Among the participants were Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and the ever-charismatic Virat Kohli. In a moment captured by the BCCI's social media team, Sarfaraz and Siraj were heard calling Kohli a "legend" as he wrapped up his segment.Despite his ongoing struggles with consistency in all formats of the game, Kohli's stature as a global cricket icon continues to inspire those around him. In another playful interaction, KL Rahul was asked to name the most famous contact on his phone. Without hesitation, Rahul responded, "Virat Kohli," showcasing the batting maestro's unparalleled status both on and off the field.Beyond the lighthearted moments, the team's preparations for the series have been meticulous. Match simulations have been taking place to prepare Team India for one of the biggest challenges of the year. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22 at Perth's Optus Stadium, promises to be a thrilling showdown between two cricketing giants, India and Australia.With five intense Test matches on the cards, the series holds immense significance as both teams vie for supremacy in the longest format. India, led by Jasprit Bumrah in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, will look to build on their historic success in Australia during their last two visits. Meanwhile, Australia, buoyed by home advantage and a formidable squad, will aim to reclaim their lost legacy against India.The Indian team's camaraderie and lighthearted interactions, as captured in the photoshoot, serve as a reminder of the team's unity and determination as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Virat Kohli's return to the Indian Test team has been met with much anticipation, and his performance in the match simulation at the WACA has provided some insights into his current form. Kohli's first stint at the crease lasted only 15-20 minutes, during which he scored just 15 runs before being dismissed by Mukesh Kumar. However, he returned to the middle later in the session and looked more fluent, scoring 30 runs without losing his wicket.Kohli's initial struggles were attributed to the bounce and pace of the WACA pitch, which made it difficult for him to execute his trademark drives. He faced a variety of bowlers, including Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but it was Mukesh who posed the biggest challenge. Mukesh's skiddy deliveries forced Kohli to play cautiously, and he was eventually dismissed while attempting to connect a delivery on the fifth stump.Despite his early dismissal, Kohli showed signs of improvement in his second stint at the crease. He displayed better judgment of line and length, and his hand-eye coordination was sharp. He also produced some brilliant cover drives, indicating that his timing is still intact.Kohli's performance in the match simulation is encouraging, but it remains to be seen how he will perform in the actual Test match. With Rohit Sharma likely to miss the Perth encounter, the onus will fall on Kohli to lead India's batting unit. He will need to be at his best if India is to have a chance of winning the series.

Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian cricket team's star batter, has extended his best wishes to the team ahead of their challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia. The depth of talent in Indian cricket was on full display as Suryakumar led the Men in Blue to a 3-1 T20I series victory over New Zealand in the absence of key players.Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill were unavailable for the T20I series, focusing instead on the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, which begins next week in Perth. The high-stakes Test series could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the World Test Championship final, scheduled for next year in London. India, coming off a historic series whitewash against New Zealand, will need to secure four wins out of five Tests to guarantee their spot in the final."For the squad in Australia, I wish them all the luck. I know they're well prepared going into the series, and I know it'll be a challenging one, but at the same time, I wish them all the luck," Suryakumar said during the post-match press conference.Meanwhile, India ramped up preparations for the grueling series with intra-squad match simulations, focusing on adapting to Perth's pace and bounce-friendly conditions. Reflecting on the young players' performances in the T20I series, Suryakumar emphasized the strength of India’s cricketing foundation."I think it says a lot about how strong the base of Indian cricket is. Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket going back home... that speaks a lot about their urge to go back, play for their state, and do well," he added.The Indian team is confident of putting up a strong performance in Australia, despite the absence of some key players. The team's depth and talent will be tested in the challenging conditions, but they are determined to make India proud.

Indian cricket team batter Sarfaraz Khan has faced significant challenges during a practice session in Perth ahead of the first Test match against Australia, scheduled to commence on November 22. According to a report by The West Australian, Khan struggled to adapt to the conditions at the WACA ground, exhibiting difficulties in handling the bounce of the pitch.The report suggests that Khan appeared like a "batter who hasn't played outside of the subcontinent," as he faced issues with short balls and was prone to chopping deliveries outside his off-stump onto the wickets. This performance has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming Test series.Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has expressed his belief that the Indian team's decision to train behind closed doors in Perth could be detrimental to their morale. Healy argues that such privacy can create an unhappy touring squad, as it prevents players from embracing the experience and interacting with the Australian public and media.Healy suggests that India's approach is similar to what Australia used to do in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where they would isolate themselves from the local environment. However, he believes that this strategy is counterproductive and can lead to a less enjoyable tour.Healy acknowledges that India may have legitimate reasons for seeking privacy, such as the overwhelming attention they receive from fans and media. However, he emphasizes that social media has amplified the intensity of cricket in India, making it crucial for players to engage with the public and media to maintain a positive atmosphere during the tour.

Rishabh Pant's Hilarious Banter with Jasprit Bumrah Lights Up Indian Cricket Team's Perth PracticeAs the Indian cricket team gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, the atmosphere in the nets has been filled with both hard work and lighthearted banter. At the heart of the fun has been wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who has been engaging in a hilarious exchange with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.Pant, known for his aggressive batting and infectious enthusiasm, has been trying his hand at bowling during the team's practice sessions. From overpitched deliveries to bouncers, Pant has thrown everything at Bumrah, hoping to claim the prized wicket of the Indian pace spearhead.In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pant can be seen claiming to have dismissed Bumrah with a bouncer. "Jasprit Bumrah ko pel diya hai maine, net pe out kara hai 1 wicket mila hai. Morkel se puch skte ho (I've dismissed Jasprit Bumrah and got 1 wicket. You can ask Morkel)," Pant said in the video.Bumrah, however, was quick to counter Pant's claim, calling his bowling action illegal. "His bowling action is illegal. It's not out, it's a four or it's a two, I've connected a pull shot. He thinks he has 7 fielders there. He should not be allowed to bowl," Bumrah said.The banter between Pant and Bumrah continued as the wicket-keeper batter tried to convince India's fast bowling coach Morne Morkel that Bumrah was out. Morkel, caught in the middle of the friendly rivalry, found himself in a conundrum.Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, the Indian team is taking their preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy seriously. After their net session, the team engaged in a warm-up match against India A, starting Friday. However, some of India's top stars, including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, failed to cross the 20-run mark on the opening day of the practice match.While these are still early days in the preparations, the Indian team will be hoping to find their form and build momentum ahead of the first Test against Australia on December 17.

Indian Cricket Team Faces Challenges in Intra-Squad Match SimulationAs the Indian cricket team prepares for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, they faced a stern test in an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA in Perth. The intense session highlighted the challenges the team will encounter on Australian soil.The top-order batters faced a barrage of impressive bowling, with several falling victim to the bouncy Perth surfaces. Virat Kohli, who has been struggling for form, was caught behind for 15 after nicking a good-length delivery. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul also departed early, with Jaiswal caught behind for 15 and Rahul forced to leave the field after being struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna.The conditions proved challenging for the Indian batters, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Nitish Reddy exploiting the bounce to trouble them. Shubman Gill was caught at gully, while Rishabh Pant was clean-bowled for 19.The match simulation served as a wake-up call for the Indian team, highlighting the need for them to adapt quickly to the Australian conditions. The pitch at the WACA provided enough movement to unsettle the batters, giving them a taste of what they can expect in the upcoming Test series.With the first Test set to begin on November 22, the Indian team will need to find a way to overcome the challenges posed by the bouncy Australian pitches. The intra-squad match simulation has provided them with valuable insights and will help them prepare for the tough battles ahead.

Ramandeep Singh, a 27-year-old cricketer from Punjab, India, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20 cricket team. The all-rounder was presented with his first Indian cap by Hardik Pandya and will join the team for the third and final match against South Africa.Singh's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in recent tournaments. In the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup for India A, he showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 64 runs off 34 balls in the semi-final against Afghanistan. His consistent performances in first-class cricket have also caught the attention of the selectors.Singh has played for two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams: Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He is currently on the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 IPL season. During the 2024 IPL season, he played in nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.Singh's inclusion in the Indian team comes as a replacement for Avesh Khan. He will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball, given his all-round abilities.In the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament, Singh represented India's A team in four matches, scoring 94 runs and taking three wickets. His quickfire 66 runs in the semi-final against Afghanistan was a standout performance. He also contributed with 13 runs against Oman and 17 runs against Shaheen. As a bowler, he claimed three wickets over three innings.Singh's selection is a recognition of his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed at the domestic level and has now earned his chance to represent his country at the highest level.

The Indian cricket team has decided to open its center-wicket training sessions to the public from Friday to Sunday, allowing fans to witness their preparations for the upcoming Test match against Australia at Perth Stadium. This decision contradicts an earlier report in the Australian media that claimed the team's practice sessions would be closed to the public.The Australian newspaper had reported that construction workers refurbishing the WACA ground had received an email from their CEO instructing them not to watch, photograph, or fly drones during India's net sessions. The email reportedly stated that the public was barred from observing India's training, and even workers in the area were prohibited from taking a peek.However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied sending any such official communication. A source within the BCCI stated that neither India nor India A had requested closed-door net sessions. The practice sessions are open to all, and the Indian and Australian media are welcome to cover them as long as they wish.The source also revealed that India A players have arrived in Perth and will participate in an intra-squad match. This match will not be an official three-day first-class fixture, but rather a match simulation where batters can bat multiple times. The management aims to provide quality center-wicket training for bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who will bowl to Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.This approach is similar to the one adopted by India during their tour of England during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they traveled with a large squad of around 23-24 players. The team management believes that this format allows for more focused and effective training.

India's Test Squad Begins Training in Perth, Practice Sessions Shielded from Public ViewWith the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) fast approaching, the Indian Test squad has assembled in Perth and commenced training at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Stadium. However, the team's practice sessions have been shrouded in secrecy, with the grill bordering the practice area covered to prevent public scrutiny.The Indian contingent arrived in Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday and will undergo a 10-day acclimatization and training period before the BGT opener. However, uncertainty looms over the availability of captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test due to personal reasons.A Forbes cricket journalist shared an image of the practice nets at the WACA, revealing that they were covered with a black sheet to block public view. Notably, the Indian team is not training at the venue of the first Test, Optus Stadium, which is just a short drive away.India opted to cancel their practice game against India 'A', who are also touring Australia. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his team believed that extended net sessions would be more beneficial than a practice match.India, who recently slipped to number two in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, are eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing 0-3 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand. To qualify for the WTC final for the third consecutive time, India must win four of the five Tests in the BGT.The Indian team's decision to shield their practice sessions from public view has sparked speculation about their strategies and preparations. However, it is clear that the team is determined to put in the hard work and regain their dominance in Test cricket.