Cricket

The Gabba Test of 2021, a pivotal moment in Indian cricket history, witnessed a remarkable triumph against all odds. Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling performance laid the foundation for India's historic victory, while Rishabh Pant's match-winning knock sealed the deal.Siraj, in only his third Test match, delivered a stunning spell of 5/73 in Australia's second innings. His maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket came at a crucial juncture, dismissing key players like Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Matthew Wade. These wickets played a pivotal role in restricting Australia to 294, setting India a challenging target of 328.Despite the absence of senior bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Siraj led the depleted Indian bowling attack with maturity and aggression. His performance was even more remarkable considering the personal tragedy he had endured during the tour, having lost his father.Pant's unbeaten 89-run knock in India's chase was equally crucial. His gritty innings anchored India's successful pursuit of the highest-ever target chased at the Gabba. The victory ended Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue, showcasing India's resilience and depth.The Gabba triumph highlighted the emergence of a new generation of Indian cricketers. Debutants like Washington Sundar and T. Natarajan, along with other inexperienced players, stepped up to the challenge and performed beyond expectations. This Test showcased the future of Indian cricket, with young players proving their mettle on the biggest stage.India's victory in Brisbane was a testament to their unwavering spirit and refusal to give up, even when faced with adversity. It became a story of triumph over adversity, inspiring fans worldwide. The Gabba Test win will be remembered as one of the most defining moments in the history of the sport, with Siraj and Pant playing pivotal roles.

India Intensifies Preparations for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Morkel Praises SirajWith the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, the Indian cricket team has been engaged in rigorous training sessions to fine-tune their skills. Last week, the team underwent an intense training regimen at the WACA in Perth, Australia.In addition to net practice and drills, the players participated in simulation matches to simulate the challenges they will face in the upcoming series. The training sessions were not without their lighter moments, as bowling coach Morne Morkel was captured on camera showering praise and affection on premier pacer Mohammed Siraj.During a training session, Siraj playfully interrupted a conversation between Morkel and another player. Morkel, recognizing Siraj's presence, immediately engaged him in the discussion. He heaped praise on Siraj's bowling abilities, highlighting his aggressive mindset and leadership qualities."This man (Siraj) is a legend," Morkel exclaimed. "He's got a big heart, aggressive mindset, one of the leaders of the attack, and I am very excited to see how he goes in this tour. Last tour, he was the go-to man in tough situations, and we're excited to see more of that senior role coming out in him on a very important tour."However, the Indian team suffered a setback during practice when top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a fracture while fielding. Gill has been ruled out of the first Test in Perth. The team received some positive news when injured opener KL Rahul, who had been sidelined with an elbow injury, returned to the nets on Sunday and is expected to play in the first Test.Regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test due to a thumb injury but is expected to join the team ahead of the second game in Adelaide.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Auction is poised to be a grand spectacle, set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This mega auction will witness a pool of 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, vying for the attention of the 10 IPL franchises.Among the marquee players set to go under the hammer are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Mohammed Siraj. These star performers have proven their mettle in both domestic and international cricket, making them highly sought-after commodities.The auction will be conducted by Mallika Sagar, who has successfully handled the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction and the IPL 2024 auction. The bidding war is expected to be intense, with franchises eager to secure the services of these exceptional players.Wicketkeeper-batters are likely to be in high demand, and KL Rahul stands out as a prime candidate. His consistent performances and captaincy experience make him a valuable asset for any team. Rishabh Pant, known for his explosive batting and leadership abilities, is another player who is expected to fetch a hefty sum.Ishan Kishan, another explosive wicketkeeper-batter, has also proven his worth in the IPL and on the international stage. His ability to score runs quickly and his wicketkeeping skills make him a highly desirable player.Other players who are expected to attract significant interest include Shreyas Iyer, a talented batter and former captain, and Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer who has impressed with his performances in the IPL and for India.The IPL 2025 Auction promises to be a thrilling event, with franchises vying to build their squads for the upcoming season. The presence of marquee players and the intense bidding war will undoubtedly make this auction one of the most memorable in IPL history.

India's Bowling Depth Poses Significant Challenge for Australia, Says Usman KhawajaAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian opener Usman Khawaja has emphasized the formidable depth of India's bowling attack, cautioning that it extends beyond the renowned Jasprit Bumrah.While acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional abilities, Khawaja highlighted the equally impressive skills of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. "Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers," Khawaja told Fox Cricket. "I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He's a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers."Khawaja also praised Shami, describing him as "very underrated" and a "very good bowler" when fit. He further noted the presence of quality spinners in India's lineup, complementing their fast bowlers."So for me it's never ... I'm just not thinking about Jasprit Bumrah," Khawaja explained. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him. And I'm sure all good batsmen would tell you exactly the same thing because if he misses, well, then I'm coming and then if he bowls good stuff, then I'll respect that."Khawaja's approach to facing India's bowlers is centered on scoring runs rather than dwelling on the possibility of getting out. "You want to ask me where do you think... I'm not thinking about where he is getting me out," he said. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy commences on November 22nd in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval under the lights. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

As the Indian cricket team faces a potential whitewash against New Zealand, having lost the first two matches of the series, captain Rohit Sharma has received a bold suggestion to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Despite being widely regarded as the country's finest pace bowler, Bumrah has struggled to make an impact on the spin-friendly pitches against New Zealand.Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has urged the Indian team management to give Bumrah a break ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia. "Jasprit Bumrah definitely needs a rest without a doubt," Karthik told Cricbuzz. "That is happening, and you will see Mohammed Siraj come in."Karthik believes that Bumrah's absence will not significantly alter India's batting lineup, despite their poor performance in the first two matches. However, he anticipates that Siraj will replace Bumrah in the bowling attack."I can't think of any other change unless someone has a niggle," Karthik added. "I don't see any reason why the batters who played this game or the bowlers should not get an opportunity."Washington Sundar emerged as India's top performer with the ball in the Pune Test, which was dominated by spinners. However, India failed to level the series, suffering a second consecutive loss to trail 0-2.While the Indian team is unlikely to make drastic changes ahead of the must-win Test in Wankhede, some adjustments are expected to be made to the XI, keeping the World Test Championship in mind.Karthik acknowledged the disappointment of the defeats but emphasized the need to remain focused on the upcoming match. "The loss and the disappointment of the defeat are still weighing very heavily on my mind," he said. "I am not able to think very clearly about what the XI will be. It's too short a notice to be honest. But if I had to think straight away, I would say rest Bumrah and bring back Siraj."

Australia's legendary fast bowler Brett Lee has emphasized the crucial role of India's pace trio—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami—in their quest to conquer the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Bumrah and Siraj have been instrumental in India's recent success, while Shami has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an Achilles tendon injury. However, Lee believes Shami's return to fitness is paramount for India's chances."Mohammed Shami has to be fit if India want to win over here," Lee asserted. "We all know how good a bowler Bumrah is. He can shape the ball both ways and will bowl extremely well. He's great with the old ball and a master of reverse swing."Lee also praised Siraj's ability to extract movement from the new ball. "Mohammed Siraj gets that new ball to talk and when he presents that seam upright, he gets it shape away, which can trouble Australia on wickets like Perth and Adelaide."Lee emphasized the importance of all three fast bowlers firing alongside Ravichandran Ashwin's spin. "For me, it is that combination. It is those three fast bowlers plus Ashwin, the spinner. Then they have guys who are part-time spinners to play a role. But you have to have those three quicks firing if India want to win."In case Shami is not ready for the Tests, Lee suggests India consider young speedster Mayank Yadav, who impressed in the IPL and made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. "The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played," Lee said. "If Mayank Yadav is ready to go, get him in there."Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential could be an asset on Australian wickets. "One thing I can promise you is that batsmen are OK around that 135km to 140km an hour mark. It is when they are bowling high 150s that no-one wants to face fast bowling over 150km/h. He looks as though he has the complete package. He is fresh and raw. But I would be inclined to go with him if Mohammed Shami is not ready."

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.

India's historic T20 World Cup triumph in June 2023 continues to provide captivating behind-the-scenes anecdotes. All-rounder Axar Patel recently shared a hilarious incident involving himself and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj during a celebratory episode of "The Great Indian Kapil Show."As the Indian team erupted in joy after their thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa, Axar and Siraj faced an unexpected dilemma. While their teammates reveled in the moment, the duo found themselves in a predicament."Siraj told everyone, 'Arre DK bhai ne mera English mein interview le liya. Itne saare log hain, sabko English aati hai. Hum dono ko hi kyu pakda English ke liye, pata nahi (Dinesh Karthik took our interview in English; all others know English, then why did he catch hold of us I don't know)," Axar narrated, sending the audience into fits of laughter.Accompanying Axar on the show were India captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Shivam Dube. The anchor, Kapil Sharma, couldn't resist asking Axar if he had indeed given the interview in English."Haan diya na, mujhe hi nahi pata mai kya bola. Siraj to aadha interview chhod ke bhaag gaya, bola 'meri jitni English thi khatam ho gayi hai' (yes, we did; but even I don't know what I said; Siraj left the interview in between saying that his English vocabulary finished)," Axar replied, eliciting more laughter from the crowd.The incident highlights the camaraderie and lighthearted moments shared by the Indian team during their historic triumph. Despite the pressure and intensity of the tournament, the players found time for humor and shared experiences that will undoubtedly be cherished for years to come.

Despite his spectacular one-handed catch that dismissed Bangladesh's Litton Das in the second Test, Rohit Sharma surprisingly missed out on the 'Impact Fielder of the Series' award. The award, presented by India's fielding coach T Dilip, went to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj instead.Rohit's catch in the Kanpur Test drew widespread praise, becoming a topic of discussion among experts and commentators. However, it was not enough to secure him the award, despite Dilip naming two winners.In his address to the team after the series, Dilip lauded Rohit as "reliable as a Swiss watch" but did not include him among his top two picks. Jaiswal and Siraj were named joint-winners, leaving Rohit visibly stunned.Siraj also grabbed a one-handed catch on Day 5 of the Kanpur Test, dismissing Shakib al Hasan. However, he initially misjudged the ball's trajectory before making amends with a diving catch. Jaiswal and KL Rahul also made impressive catches in the slip region throughout the series.Despite the snub, India secured a 7-wicket win in the second Test, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Despite rain washing out over two and a half days of play, Rohit's team showcased their all-round abilities.The victory strengthens India's position at the top of the World Test Championship points table, bringing them closer to the final.