Cricket

Former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson predicts a mixed reception for India's Virat Kohli from Australian crowds during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lawson believes Kohli's fierce competitive nature could paint him as a "faux villain," contrasting with the more amiable Jasprit Bumrah.Lawson told Mid-day, "Virat Kohli will play the faux villain to Jasprit Bumrah's likeable nature." He added, "Bumrah, with the fast bowler's privilege of spending half a life at fine leg, has the perfect chance to interact with the crowd, winning smiles and hearts. Meanwhile, Kohli will lurk in the infield, appealing vociferously, fielding magnificently, and engaging verbally with any Australian player so inclined to conversation — and there will be one or two of those."Lawson commented on the complicated relationship Australian fans have with Kohli, noting they appreciate strong competition yet may react to his on-field demeanor. "They may give him some grief if he plays the antagonist, but you can guarantee that if he makes 50s and 100s, he will be loudly applauded by the fans. He has shown a liking for Australian conditions ever since his first tour 13 years ago. Bounce and pace suited his two-footed game, but the question in 2024 is whether he still has the razor sharpness to best Australia’s attack on their home surfaces. I wouldn't count him out."Despite Australia's overall superior record in Test cricket against India, recent years have seen the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remain intensely competitive. India have held onto the trophy through three successive series wins, including two victories on Australian soil. Nevertheless, Lawson believes it is time for the trophy to return to Australia."Pat Cummins may smile a lot, but his competitiveness is ingrained and powerful," Lawson noted. "Some Australian players have been quoted as having unfinished business. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been loaned to the BCCI for a decade; it's time to get it back on the trophy shelves in Jolimont [Cricket Australia's headquarters in Victoria]. Australia may hold the World Test Championship, but without a home series win against India, the crown sits unsteadily."Lawson, who represented Australia in 46 Tests and 79 ODIs between 1980 and 1989, emphasized the significance of reclaiming the trophy to reinforce Australia's dominance in Test cricket, particularly on home soil.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's star speedster, has emerged as a fan favorite and a formidable force in the cricketing world. His recent appearance at the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai showcased the immense popularity he enjoys among cricket enthusiasts.Upon his arrival, Bumrah was greeted with thunderous applause and a warm welcome by the event organizers. Dressed in a stylish blue shirt and grey trousers, the 30-year-old pacer exuded his signature calm demeanor. The crowd's energy and enthusiasm were palpable, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.Bumrah's most recent competitive outing was in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, where he played a pivotal role in India's triumph. His two wickets in the final proved crucial in securing India's first ICC trophy in over a decade, earning him the Player of the Tournament award.Following this achievement, India's new coach, Gautam Gambhir, decided to rest Bumrah for the subsequent series against Sri Lanka, allowing him time to recuperate before upcoming challenges. Bumrah is set to return to action in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September, with the opening match scheduled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.This series will be followed by India's engagements against New Zealand and a subsequent tour to South Africa for T20I series before the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Bumrah's presence in these upcoming matches is highly anticipated, as he is expected to play a key role in India's quest for success.

Jasprit Bumrah's Captaincy Prospects: Dinesh Karthik Raises ConcernsFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed reservations about the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah becoming the captain of the Indian national cricket team. While acknowledging Bumrah's leadership qualities, Karthik emphasized the importance of preserving his fitness and avoiding the potential risks associated with the added responsibility of captaincy.Karthik highlighted the physical demands of fast bowling and the need to protect Bumrah for crucial matches. He described Bumrah as a "Kohinoor diamond" for Indian cricket, whose well-being must be carefully managed. "Being a fast bowler, especially at Bumrah's level, it is so important to protect him and play him in important matches," Karthik said.He further explained that burdening Bumrah with captaincy could increase the risk of injury, potentially jeopardizing his availability for important matches. "To burden him with captaincy and then see him end up playing a lot of series and injuring himself would be a huge problem," Karthik added.Karthik's comments come amidst discussions about Bumrah's potential as India's captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format. However, the T20I captaincy was ultimately handed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah's teammate from the Mumbai Indians.Bumrah has previously led India as a stand-in captain during the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022 and also captained India to a 2-0 series victory in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year. Despite his success in these limited captaincy stints, Karthik's concerns underscore the importance of carefully managing Bumrah's workload to maximize his effectiveness and longevity in international cricket.

Tim Southee, the New Zealand Test captain, has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the world's best all-format bowler, echoing the sentiments of Australian legend Ricky Ponting. Bumrah's remarkable return from an 11-month injury layoff has seen him excel in all three formats, earning him the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup.Southee praised Bumrah's ability to juggle multiple formats with ease, saying, "He's probably more experienced, understands his game a bit more... I think we've just seen a great version of Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats."Southee also acknowledged the challenges of playing in subcontinental conditions, where spin plays a significant role. He indicated that he may not play every Test match in India and Sri Lanka, but emphasized his desire to feature in as many as possible."I love Test cricket, but I understand there is a balance to the side... We have got nine Test matches in the next few months so there is a lot of Test cricket. So it is all about managing workloads," Southee said.Regarding the impact of T20 leagues on player availability for international cricket, Southee expressed uncertainty. He noted that New Zealand Cricket's decision to allow Devon Conway and Finn Allen to decline central contracts while remaining available for most Test matches was a step in the right direction."It would be nice to see the international and the leagues working together in some way because especially Test cricket, I think a lot of players, it's still the pinnacle of the format," Southee said.

Jasprit Bumrah: The Unstoppable Multi-Format Bowling ForceFormer Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as the best multi-format bowler in world cricket over the past five to six years. Despite concerns about his longevity, Bumrah has returned from injuries stronger than ever, impressing Ponting and the cricketing fraternity."He's probably been the best multi-format bowler there's been in world cricket for the last five or six years," Ponting said on the ICC review. "There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries came in and 'would he come back the same?', but I think he's actually come back better."Ponting emphasized the impact Bumrah has on opposition batsmen, who often describe him as a "nightmare" due to his unpredictable bowling style. "You never know what's going to happen. One's going to swing, one's going to seam, he's going to bowl an in-swinger, he's going to bowl an out-swinger," Ponting explained.Bumrah played a pivotal role in India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, taking 15 wickets. Ponting acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional performance during the tournament, noting that his pace and accuracy remain unchanged. "The skillset is all the same. He's getting better year on year. He would rank right up there," Ponting said.Ponting compared Bumrah to legendary bowlers like Glenn McGrath and James Anderson, highlighting their longevity and exceptional skills. "When you've got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you're going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest," Ponting added.Bumrah's ability to adapt to different formats and conditions sets him apart from other bowlers. He has consistently performed at the highest level in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.

Jasprit Bumrah's Captaincy Aspirations Draw Mixed Reactions from Former Pakistan CricketerIndian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's recent comments about the potential for pace bowlers to excel as captains have sparked a debate within the cricketing community. While Bumrah believes that fast bowlers possess the necessary leadership qualities, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed a different perspective.In an interview, Bumrah cited the successful captaincies of Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, who led India and Pakistan to World Cup victories, respectively. However, Ali argues that both Dev and Khan were appointed as captains only after they had established themselves as all-rounders, not just bowlers."About Jasprit Bumrah's statement, it's just like how Babar Azam likes captaincy. In my opinion, he should not chase captaincy. He is a top-class bowler and should be focusing just on that," Ali said in a video on his YouTube channel.Ali further clarified the distinction between a bowler and an all-rounder when it comes to leadership roles. "He gave the examples of Kapil Dev and Imran Khan's captaincy. However, they had become all-rounders, which is why they succeeded as captains. They were not appointed captains when they came into their teams as bowlers. This is the difference between a bowler and an all-rounder."While acknowledging the success of Australian pacer Pat Cummins as a captain, Ali pointed out that there are very few fast bowlers who have thrived in the role of a captain or coach."He also spoke about Pat Cummins. Yes, Cummins is a good captain, but there are very few fast bowlers who can become a good coach or captain. My best wishes to Jasprit Bumrah. There is a chance that he could be made the captain after the Champions Trophy," Ali added.Bumrah has previously led India as a stand-in captain during the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022 and also captained India to a 2-0 victory in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year.

Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, has taken on the significant role of India's bowling coach, succeeding renowned predecessors Bharat Arun and Paras Mhambrey. At 39, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as Pakistan's bowling coach and worked with New Zealand and Namibia in the T20 World Cups.One of the key challenges Morkel faces is gaining the trust of the Indian bowlers, which is essential for effective communication and success in his new position. Ex-South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel, Morne's brother, emphasizes that earning the trust of established team members will be his main task."It goes without saying that being on the Indian team's coaching staff is probably the biggest responsibility or coaching job out there," Albie Morkel told Mid-day. "The passion for the sport and the success that the team had in the past makes it a job with no room for error."Morkel will collaborate with some of the world's best bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, widely considered the best fast bowler across all formats. Albie Morkel believes that Morne admires Bumrah's versatility and ability to perform in various conditions."Not sure but Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah," Albie said when asked about the Indian bowlers Morne admires. "Once again, I don't know what his exact thoughts would be, but Jasprit is the best all-format bowler in the world. He is very special, and I'm sure Morne would love to work with him."Despite not having an extensive coaching resume like some of his predecessors, Morkel's experience is noteworthy. He has worked with bowlers from different countries and cultures, which will be valuable in his new role. Albie Morkel highlights the importance of his brother's experience, particularly in addressing the mental aspects of the game, which can be crucial for bowlers dealing with challenges such as injuries."It's a fine line between being too technical and what's right," Albie said. "I think the game has changed so much over the last decade. Younger bowlers or bowlers who struggle with injuries probably need more technical work, and after that, it's about fine-tuning what you have. The mental aspect becomes very important then to sustain longevity."Morkel's appointment has the potential to bring a fresh perspective to India's bowling attack, possibly unlocking new achievements for the team. His combination of experience, technical expertise, and understanding of the game's mental demands sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Indian cricket.

Young Girl Impresses with Spot-On Imitation of Jasprit Bumrah's Bowling ActionA young girl has become an internet sensation after her uncanny imitation of Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's unique bowling action went viral on social media. The video showcases the girl's remarkable ability to replicate Bumrah's signature style, from his short run-up to his rapid arm movement and release.Bumrah's unorthodox bowling action has become a trademark of his bowling prowess, baffling batsmen around the world. The girl's ability to mimic his action with such precision has garnered praise from cricket enthusiasts and fans alike. The video has been widely shared across social media platforms, with users applauding the girl's talent and potential.Bumrah is expected to return for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, which is set to commence on October 16. The talented bowler has been on a well-earned break following India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.However, it is anticipated that Bumrah might continue his rest period during the two Tests against Bangladesh scheduled for September. The Indian team management and selectors are reportedly exploring options to introduce more variety into the pace attack. As a result, there is a possibility of including a left-arm seam and swing bowler to the pool of pacers who are competing for a spot in the Test squad.This strategic move aims to add depth and versatility to the bowling lineup, providing the team with a wider range of options to choose from based on the playing conditions and opposition.

Jasprit Bumrah: An Advocate for Bowlers in India's Batting-Obsessed CultureIn the realm of cricket, the adage "bowlers win you matches" holds true, especially in the grueling format of Test cricket. India's fast bowling sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, has shattered the narrative that Indian bowlers are merely supporting cast to the team's batting prowess.Despite the country's unwavering adoration for its batsmen and their spectacular strokeplay, Bumrah remains an ardent advocate for the bowlers' role in driving the game. "I understand that our country loves big batsmen, but for me, bowlers drive the game," he asserted in an interview with The Indian Express.Bumrah's unwavering belief in the supremacy of Test cricket stems from his conviction that success in the red-ball format translates into excellence in all other formats. "If I do well in that [Test cricket], all other formats will take care of themselves," said the 30-year-old bowling spearhead, who has amassed 159 wickets in 36 Tests at an astonishing average of 20.69.Bumrah's advocacy for bowlers extends beyond mere words. He firmly believes that the no-ball free hit rule should be abolished. "That no-ball free hit should go away," he stated.Bumrah's unwavering support for bowlers and his exceptional performances on the field have earned him immense respect and admiration. His ability to consistently deliver match-winning spells has transformed the perception of Indian fast bowlers, proving that they can be just as lethal as their batting counterparts.