Cricket

Alyssa Healy's hopes of playing in Australia's upcoming ODI series against India are hanging in the balance after she was ruled out of the remainder of the WBBL with a knee injury.The Sydney Sixers captain sustained the injury to her left knee during the team's last-start loss to the Brisbane Heat. The injury is not believed to be serious enough to rule her out of the multi-format Ashes, which begin on January 12, but it does cast doubt on her availability for the three-match ODI series against India, which starts just four days after the WBBL final.Healy has been battling injuries throughout the summer, having entered the WBBL with a foot injury that ended her T20 World Cup campaign early. She also missed the Sixers' last match due to body management.The injury is a significant blow to the Sixers, who are now facing the prospect of needing to win their last three matches to make the WBBL finals. If Healy does miss the international matches, Tahlia McGrath would be expected to deputise as captain again after doing so in the World Cup.Healy's injury highlights the challenges faced by female athletes in managing their workload during a busy summer schedule. The Australian captain has been open about the need to manage her pain and function throughout the summer, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to play in all of the upcoming matches.

India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand serves as a crucial preparation for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. The five-match Test series in Australia, commencing on November 22, will pose significant challenges for the Indian team. However, Rohit Sharma and his squad remain confident, buoyed by India's previous victories in the BGT.Ahead of the eagerly awaited series, fans eagerly anticipate the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami's last international appearance was in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Since then, he has undergone knee surgery and has been recovering.Earlier this month, reports emerged that Shami had suffered a knee swelling during a practice session, potentially jeopardizing his participation in the Tests against Australia. However, in a recent interview with NDTV, Shami confirmed that his knee is now fully recovered and he is eager to return to domestic cricket."I have repeatedly stated that I have not sustained any new injuries. There may be occasional setbacks, but it's unfair to blame anyone. Out of 365 days, one day can go wrong," Shami told NDTV."It's crucial to have faith in the team and our abilities. I hope to play at least one domestic match and be fully fit for the Australia series. That's my goal," he added.In a separate interview with ANI, Shami reflected on India's loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final."We should have won the final. We shouldn't blame anyone or question anything. From a batting perspective, it's not that we didn't try to score runs," Shami told ANI."Our target was not limited. As bowlers, we gave our all. They had some luck on their side. We were almost unbeaten. We were determined to win. The entire nation supported us, but we fell short in the final. It wasn't our day," he added.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has revealed that the team is taking extra precautions with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's knee injury, which he sustained during the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Pant, who has undergone multiple surgeries on his knee following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, was seen struggling to run comfortably while batting in India's second innings. He was eventually dismissed for 99 off 105 balls."He's had a massive operation on his leg, so we all know what he went through," Rohit said after India's eight-wicket defeat. "It's just to be a little careful about where he is at and what he is to us."Pant injured his knee on the second day of the Test while attempting to stump Devon Conway. He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps for the remainder of the first innings and the first 27.4 overs of New Zealand's second innings.Rohit emphasized the importance of being cautious with Pant's knee, given his recent history of injuries."He's had a lot of minor surgeries [and] one big surgery on his knee and he went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one-and-a-half years," Rohit said. "So it's just about being extra careful, not [just] careful with him."Despite his knee injury, Pant displayed his usual aggressive batting style, smashing nine fours and five sixes."No one knows what goes in his mind, to be honest," Rohit said with a smile. "He decides what he wants to do. I don't think there's anything that you need to speak to him [about]. We spoke to him about 'please understand the situation' and stuff like that, but that's Rishabh - he wants to play in a certain way and then, as a captain, as a coach, we want to back that because like he has produced results for us having that mindset. So let him go and play freely."

New Zealand's Test squad for their upcoming tour of India has suffered a setback with the withdrawal of fast bowler Ben Sears due to a knee injury. Sears, who made his Test debut against Australia earlier this year, experienced pain in his left knee during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka. Scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, ruling him out of the three-match series against India.Jacob Duffy, who has yet to make his Test debut, has been called up as Sears' replacement. Duffy, 30, has played six ODIs and 14 T20Is for New Zealand and has an impressive 299 first-class wickets to his name. He is expected to leave for India on Wednesday morning, the first day of the first Test.In Sears' absence, New Zealand's fast-bowling attack will likely consist of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Will O'Rourke. Ajaz Patel is expected to be the primary spin option, with allrounders Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Michael Bracewell also providing spin support. Glenn Phillips can also offer part-time spin if needed.New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed disappointment over Sears' injury but remained optimistic about Duffy's potential contribution. "It's an exciting opportunity for Jacob, who has been around the Test squad before," Stead said. "With three Tests ahead of us, he has every chance of making his Test debut."Duffy's recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship is believed to have played a role in his selection. Stead praised Duffy's performances in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute if called upon.New Zealand's tour of India begins with the first Test in Bengaluru on February 22. The series will then move on to Pune and Mumbai for the second and third Tests, respectively.

Mohammed Shami's Comeback Hopes Dented by Knee InjuryTeam India's hopes of a swift return for premier pacer Mohammed Shami have been dealt a blow as he has developed "swollen knees" during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The injury could sideline Shami for an additional six to eight weeks, jeopardizing his availability for the upcoming five-Test series in Australia.Shami has been undergoing rehab at the NCA since February after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. He was expected to join the Bengal Ranji Trophy team and participate in the first-class tournament starting October 11. However, the knee injury has flared up, casting doubt on his immediate return."Shami had resumed bowling and was on track to make a comeback soon. But this knee injury has flared up recently. The BCCI's medical team is assessing the injury, but it may require significant time," said a BCCI source.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was selected for India's two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, subject to fitness. However, he was ruled out after the BCCI medical team withheld clearance.The injury is a setback for the NCA medical team, which has been working with Shami for over a year. The team has implemented a comprehensive workload management system, but the knee injury has emerged as an unexpected hurdle.The Indian team management has been cautious about the workload of its premier fast bowlers, including Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. They were expected to lead the attack in Australia, but neither has played five consecutive Test matches recently.The selectors will face a dilemma when selecting the squad for the three-Test home series against New Zealand starting October 16. They will hope that Shami recovers in time for the Australia tour, but his availability remains uncertain.

Samit Dravid, the son of former India captain Rahul Dravid, will likely miss the upcoming four-day matches against Australia Under-19s in Chennai due to a knee injury. The all-rounder had been sidelined from the three-match one-day series in Puducherry and is still recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA)."As of now, he's at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury," said India Under-19s coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar. "So, [I] don't know yet. It looks unlikely."Samit, who turned 18 in October, will not be eligible for the next Under-19 World Cup in 2026 due to age restrictions. According to ICC regulations, players must be under 19 as of August 31, 2025, to participate.Despite missing out on the World Cup, Samit's development remains a priority for the NCA. "We are prioritizing giving the players exposure to grow over merely selecting a talent pool for the 2026 T20 World Cup," said VVS Laxman, the former India batter and NCA head.Kanitkar is eager to test his players in red-ball cricket, as the first youth Test against Australia Under-19s will be India's first four-dayer in over five years. "Red-ball [cricket] really tests you," said Kanitkar. "There's enough time for the bowlers to plan and [make] strategies. So, for both batters and bowlers and even fielders, it's the ideal challenge to see where you stand."India Under-19s enter the four-dayers with confidence after a 3-0 sweep in the one-dayers in Puducherry. However, Kanitkar is wary of the conditions at Chepauk, which has experienced rain and high humidity. "The pitch is obviously different and we will have a look again tomorrow morning," said Kanitkar. "Let's see if it rains overnight or not because it's hot and humid."

MS Dhoni, the legendary former Indian cricket captain, has sparked speculation about his potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has remained an active player in the IPL, leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to four titles.However, a knee injury plagued Dhoni throughout the 2023 IPL season, forcing him to wear a knee brace. Concerns about his fitness emerged, but a recent video clip on social media has allayed those fears. The 43-year-old was seen hitting a jump smash at lightning speed on a badminton court, showcasing his remarkable fitness.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering reintroducing the provision for franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped players. This rule was abolished in 2021, but its reinstatement could pave the way for Dhoni's return to CSK as an uncapped player.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied that the franchise has requested this rule change, but the BCCI has indicated that it may be implemented. If the rule is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni without using one of their retention slots, giving them greater flexibility in building their squad.Dhoni's availability for the 2025 IPL season remains uncertain, but his recent display of fitness has fueled speculation about his potential return. The mega auction will precede the season, and Dhoni's decision will be closely watched by fans and franchises alike.

Liam Livingstone, England's explosive all-rounder, has revealed his struggles with a persistent knee injury that has plagued him for the past 18 months. The pain had significantly impacted his enjoyment of the game, leaving him in a "pretty crap place." However, thanks to an anti-inflammatory injection, Livingstone played "pain-free" during England's recent T20I series against Pakistan.Livingstone's injury woes began in 2022 when he rushed back from an ankle injury to represent England at the T20 World Cup. Shortly after, he injured his right knee while fielding on his Test debut in Pakistan. Since then, he has battled with both form and fitness.Despite his struggles, Livingstone played in the 50-over World Cup in India and the early stages of this year's IPL. However, his performances were underwhelming, prompting him to return home early from the IPL to address his knee issue.The injection has provided much-needed relief for Livingstone, who described the pain as "something underneath my kneecap that keeps catching" on the bone. He expressed his gratitude for the medical intervention, saying, "Just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me."Livingstone's role in England's T20 team is as a designated finisher, but he has faced limited opportunities in recent series. He acknowledged the challenges of his position, stating, "You've got to manage your expectations and realize that actually, when the time comes, I'm going to get an opportunity - at some time, at some point - to win a game of cricket for England."Despite his limited batting opportunities, Livingstone believes he can make a significant contribution to England's World Cup campaign in the Caribbean. He highlighted his value as a spin bowler, saying, "I love coming back to play for England because Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] really trust my bowling, which not many people do in different competitions."Livingstone's return to form and fitness is a boost for England as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. His all-round abilities and positive mindset will be crucial to their success in the tournament.

Liam Livingstone, the Punjab Kings and England all-rounder, has prematurely departed India to address a lingering knee issue ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. Livingstone has endured a string of muscle injuries in recent years, including two missed games early in the IPL season due to an on-field injury during a loss to Lucknow Super Giants.Despite returning to the PBKS lineup for their defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Livingstone has now left the tournament with his team eliminated. ESPNcricinfo reports that his knee injury is not severe enough to jeopardize his World Cup participation but necessitates rest before England's upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.Livingstone's IPL campaign was underwhelming, with 111 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 142.30 and three wickets in 12 overs. This follows a lackluster winter in franchise cricket, including a quiet SA20 season with MI Cape Town and a brief stint with Sharjah Warriors.Other England World Cup squad members participating in the IPL, including Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, and Reece Topley, will also return home shortly. They are expected to reunite in Leeds before England's first T20I at Headingley on May 22.Livingstone's departure highlights the importance of player management and injury prevention ahead of major tournaments. With the T20 World Cup approaching, England will be keen to ensure that their key players are fit and ready to perform at their best.