Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his unwavering support for under-fire batter K.L. Rahul, emphasizing that the team management's opinion holds more weight than social media criticism. Rahul's recent struggles, including a duck in the first innings and a meager 12 in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, have drawn widespread criticism.However, Gambhir remains confident in Rahul's abilities, stating that "social media does not matter one bit." He highlighted Rahul's impressive knock of 68 in the first innings of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh as evidence of his batting prowess. "He is batting really well," Gambhir asserted. "He has capability of scoring runs. That's why he has been backed by the team."Despite Gambhir's support, Rahul's place in the team is under scrutiny following Sarfaraz Khan's maiden century in the first Test. Khan's performance has made the competition for batting spots more intense, and Rahul will need to deliver in the second match to retain his place.New Zealand currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru. The defeat was a humbling experience for India, who had previously swept Bangladesh 2-0, including a rain-affected victory in Kanpur."Cricket, sports are a big leveller," Gambhir said of the Bengaluru loss. "If we have enjoyed days like Kanpur we had to endure what happened in Bengaluru. We didn't show any intention to bat out the remainder of the two and a half days."India's batting collapse in Bengaluru, where they were dismissed for a record-low 46 in the first innings, has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete against a strong New Zealand side. Gambhir acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that "everyone is judged. International cricket is all about being judged."

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional left-arm spin, combined with his fielding prowess and batting contributions, has solidified his position as India's premier Test spinner. With the Pune pitch expected to favor spinners significantly more than the Bengaluru surface, New Zealand may opt to include Mitchell Santner in their playing XI.According to Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, there is optimism that Rishabh Pant will be fit to resume wicketkeeping duties in the second Test after sustaining a knee injury in the series opener. However, a selection battle is brewing between middle-order batters KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, with head coach Gautam Gambhir keen on giving Rahul an extended run.India's team selection remains a closely guarded secret, with the home side keeping their cards close to their chest. The team is eager to bounce back from their 0-1 deficit in the three-match series, not only to level the series but also to maintain their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

Mohammed Siraj, India's fast bowler, has faced criticism for his recent performances. Despite his struggles, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate defended Siraj, acknowledging his "wicket-drought" but emphasizing his quality bowling.Ten Doeschate praised Siraj's performance in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand, highlighting his ability to move the ball across left-handers. He attributed Siraj's lack of wickets to a temporary drought, expressing confidence in his recovery.Meanwhile, a selection battle is brewing between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for the second Test. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the competition, noting Rahul's recent struggles and Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the previous Test.The team combination is also under scrutiny, with Washington Sundar added to the squad. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are aiming to overcome injury concerns for the match.Ten Doeschate emphasized the need to balance the team's strengths and weaknesses, considering the pitch conditions and the team's performance in the first Test. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the defeat in Bengaluru.

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has called for the inclusion of a prolific domestic run-scorer in the national team setup. In the wake of India's disastrous collapse to 46 all out in the first Test against New Zealand, Tiwary has questioned the place of KL Rahul in the side.Tiwary has pointed to the success of Sarfaraz Khan for India, who was promoted up the order and flourished at No. 4. He believes that Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has slammed four centuries in his last four first-class games, should be given a chance in the India playing XI.Tiwary highlighted Rahul's poor average in Test cricket, which stands at 33.98 after 91 innings. He argued that India has a pool of talented batters who are performing consistently in domestic cricket and deserve an opportunity."You need performances on a consistent basis, which should be checked in a 1:3 ratio," said Tiwary. "If you look at his (Easwaran's) numbers, there were hardly any innings in the last few matches he played where he did not score a century. So bring him in, and try him as a middle-order batter, given that he is in form. Why not?"Easwaran, who Tiwary has captained for Bengal, recently scored a stunning 191 for Rest of India against Mumbai in the Irani Cup 2024. He has also been a part of the India setup as a standby player.Tiwary believes that Easwaran's form and versatility make him a suitable candidate for the middle order. He suggested that the selectors should experiment with different combinations to find the best possible lineup."India has a lot of options, and they should try different players in different positions," said Tiwary. "If you are not getting the results, you need to change something. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results."

With India's Test captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first one or two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team is faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement. While Jasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner for the captaincy role, the search for an opening batter is still ongoing.Shubman Gill is a strong contender for the opening spot, but former Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble believes KL Rahul is a more versatile choice. Kumble praised Gill's talent and skills, but emphasized the need for a batter who can adapt to different roles, like Rahul."Rahul has played for India in various roles, from opening the batting to acting as a finisher at No. 6," Kumble said. "In the past, Cheteshwar Pujara has also batted at the top of the order when India needed someone to hold one end together. Rahul can do the same."Kumble highlighted the importance of having a batter who can control the first session and see off the new ball. "The Kookaburra Ball after the first 25 hours is best to bat between the 30th and 60th overs," he explained. "Rahul and Pujara have consistently done this throughout their careers, ensuring that the team is safe and the middle-order batters can come in later and score runs."While Gill is a talented young player, Kumble believes Rahul's experience and versatility make him a better choice to replace Rohit Sharma in the first Test. Rahul's ability to adapt to different roles and his proven track record at the top of the order make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has set social media ablaze with his exceptional fielding skills in the lead-up to the highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand. A recent video showcases Kohli's remarkable reflexes and dedication as he engages in intense slip-catching drills alongside KL Rahul.During the practice session, Kohli displayed his agility and precision by pulling off a stunning low catch to his right, eliciting laughter from both players. The video highlights the focused preparation of India's key players as they gear up for the three-match Test series, commencing on October 16 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Kohli and Rahul, both eager to regain their peak form, have demonstrated their commitment to fielding excellence, leaving no stone unturned in their quest to maintain India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.However, the team's preparations encountered a setback as heavy rain washed out India's practice session on Tuesday morning. With forecasts predicting continued rainfall throughout the week, the weather could significantly impact the series opener.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert across parts of Karnataka, warning of potential disruptions during the first two days of the match. The weather could play a crucial role, especially considering recent matches. India's previous Test in Kanpur against Bangladesh was marred by rain delays but ultimately resulted in a home victory.New Zealand, on the other hand, faced similar challenges during their tour of the subcontinent, with their scheduled game against Afghanistan in Greater Noida abandoned due to poor drainage.India enters the series with momentum, having secured a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, while New Zealand aims to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka. The hosts currently lead the WTC table, while the Kiwis, the reigning 2021 WTC champions, are eager to regain their footing.

Team India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia are in full swing, with the team set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting on October 16. The series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial test for India, as they aim to resolve the middle-order puzzle and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Australia.One of the key questions surrounding India's middle order is the selection between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. Rahul, a seasoned campaigner with 52 Tests under his belt, has been preferred over Khan in recent matches. However, Khan's impressive debut series against England, where he scored three fifties, has raised questions about Rahul's place in the team.Rahul's experience and familiarity with Australian conditions could give him an edge over Khan. Rahul has played in two previous Border-Gavaskar series, scoring a century in Sydney in 2014-15. However, his performance in the 2018-19 tour was less impressive, averaging only 11.40 in three Tests.On the other hand, Khan's recent form has been exceptional. In the series against England, he scored 153 runs in three innings, including a century in the second Test. His ability to play spin effectively could be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming series against Australia.The opening Test against New Zealand will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which has been a happy hunting ground for Rahul. In two previous Tests at the venue, he has scored 195 runs at an average of 65.00. A strong performance against New Zealand could bolster Rahul's case for a place in the middle order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ultimately, the decision between Rahul and Khan will depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the conditions in Australia. With the series against New Zealand providing a crucial opportunity to test both players, India will be hoping for a clear indication of who will be their preferred choice for the middle order in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Sarfaraz Khan's impressive Test debut against England earlier this year has not yet translated into a permanent spot in the Indian Test XI. Despite his double century for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, KL Rahul's crucial runs in the two Tests against Bangladesh have kept Sarfaraz on the sidelines.Former India cricketer and ex-selector Jatin Paranjape believes that Sarfaraz should remain patient and continue to perform. "There is nothing unfair about Sarfaraz's situation. He was playing because someone else was injured. The competition for batting spots is so intense that, unfortunately, someone will always miss out," Paranjape said.Paranjape also suggested that Sarfaraz could be taken to Australia as a reserve player for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. "I feel he might also be taken to Australia as a reserve player. But it's just one of those things—you can only play eleven players, and the best eleven get selected. It's not that he isn't good enough; it's just that there's a lot of competition for those spots right now," he added.India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.The three-Test series against New Zealand begins in Bengaluru on October 16, followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is fast approaching, and franchises are eagerly awaiting the release of retention and release guidelines from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While the BCCI is expected to limit teams to retaining a maximum of six players, including Right To Match, some franchises are hoping for an increase to eight.One of the biggest questions surrounding the auction is the future of MS Dhoni, who has been a mainstay for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). CSK has reportedly suggested that the BCCI reinstate an old rule that would allow them to retain Dhoni as a mentor.Despite the uncertainty surrounding retention guidelines, reports have emerged highlighting the players that different franchises are interested in keeping. However, with only a limited number of players allowed to be retained, several top names could be released.Here are five cricketing superstars who could be released by their respective franchises ahead of the mega auction:1. Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has hinted that the 2024 season could be his last with the franchise. With Hardik Pandya now leading the team, Sharma may be on the lookout for a new side.2. KL Rahul: The Lucknow Super Kings are reportedly seeking a new captain, and Rahul's inability to dictate the game has put his position in jeopardy. He could potentially return to his former franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore.3. Faf du Plessis: The RCB skipper had a disappointing campaign last season, and at 40 years old, his best days in T20 cricket may be behind him. RCB is expected to rope in a new captain and release du Plessis.4. Venkatesh Iyer: The Kolkata Knight Riders have a tough decision to make regarding Iyer, who has fallen out of favor after a title-winning campaign. With several other key players to retain, Iyer could be released.5. Glenn Maxwell: After a poor season with RCB, Maxwell could also be on his way out. The franchise may prefer to invest in a player who guarantees a better performance.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a major shake-up for several franchises, and these five superstars could find themselves in new colors next season.