Cricket

Team India's disastrous 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked a torrent of criticism, with former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pinpointing the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Duleep Trophy as a contributing factor.Kohli and Sharma had initially agreed to participate in the domestic red-ball event but withdrew at the last moment, citing a "lack of motivation." Manjrekar believes this decision was a mistake, arguing that the duo would have benefited from the match practice."The big learning for the selectors from this home season is that do not rest the already well-rested players because of their stature," Manjrekar wrote on social media. "I say this again, both Rohit & Virat would only have benefited from playing the Duleep Trophy start of the season."The Indian team's middle-order fragility, Rohit Sharma's captaincy, and Gautam Gambhir's insistence on turning tracks have also been identified as potential reasons for the series loss. However, Manjrekar's comments highlight the importance of match readiness, especially for senior players.Kohli and Sharma will have a significant responsibility when India travels to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, particularly in the absence of experienced batsmen like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Some experts believe that this could be the last Test series at home for Kohli, Rohit, and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian team must address these issues and find a way to regain their form if they want to avoid a similar fate in Australia. The Duleep Trophy could provide an opportunity for players to prove their worth and earn a place in the Test squad.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has endured a dismal series against New Zealand, with his poor form contributing significantly to the team's 3-0 defeat. Rohit's aggressive approach on challenging pitches has backfired, leading to six dismissals that have been criticized as "casual."However, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has defended Rohit's approach, attributing it to his elegant style of play. Gavaskar drew parallels to David Gower, another batsman who faced similar misinterpretations. "People tend to misinterpret his approach because his style is easy on the eye," Gavaskar said. "They care about their wickets and want to score runs, but their batting looks simple, and their dismissals reflect that."Rohit acknowledged his poor shot selection in the series but expressed no regrets over his aggressive approach. "I played a bad shot, but I don't regret it because it has given me success in the past," he said. "I will continue to do that."Rohit's struggles have raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics argue that his attacking style is not suited to the longer format of the game. However, Gavaskar believes that Rohit's leadership qualities should not be judged solely on his batting performance."He is a very good captain," Gavaskar said. "He has the ability to motivate his team and get the best out of them. He is also a very good tactician. I think he will be a successful Test captain."Despite Rohit's struggles, India's batting lineup has shown promise in the series. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara have both scored centuries, while Rishabh Pant has played some impressive innings. The team's bowling attack has also performed well, with Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin taking wickets consistently.India will be hoping to bounce back from their Test series defeat when they face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting on January 18. Rohit will be keen to prove his worth as a Test captain and lead his team to victory.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, has been under immense scrutiny following India's humiliating 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. The defeat has raised questions about Rohit's leadership and his ability to inspire his team to perform at the highest level.Rohit's struggles with the bat have been particularly concerning. In six innings during the series, he managed only 91 runs, averaging a meager 13.30. This is a far cry from the prolific run-scorer he has been in recent years. Rohit's poor form has put pressure on the rest of the batting lineup, which has also failed to deliver consistently.Compounding Rohit's batting woes, his decision-making as captain has also been criticized. In the first Test in Kanpur, he opted to bat first on a pitch that was clearly more suited to bowling. This decision backfired spectacularly, as India was bowled out for just 124 runs in their first innings.Rohit's decision to field first in the second Test in Mumbai was also questionable. The pitch was expected to deteriorate over the course of the match, and batting first would have given India the advantage of setting a large total. However, New Zealand batted first and scored 325 runs, putting India under pressure from the outset.Rohit's captaincy has also been criticized for its lack of aggression. In the past, India has been known for its attacking style of play, but under Rohit's leadership, the team has appeared more cautious and conservative. This has led to accusations that Rohit is too risk-averse and that he is not inspiring his players to play to their full potential.Rohit's struggles have come at a time when India is facing a crucial period in its Test cricket history. The team is currently ranked fourth in the World Test Championship standings, and it needs to win the remaining four Tests in the series against Australia to qualify for the final.Rohit's form and leadership will be under intense scrutiny in the upcoming Tests. If he can rediscover his batting touch and inspire his team to victory, he will silence his critics and prove that he is still the right man to lead India. However, if he continues to struggle, India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final will be in jeopardy.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Kiwi batter Ross Taylor expressed his astonishment at the team's remarkable achievement, stating that a clean sweep was beyond their wildest dreams.The visitors dominated the series from start to finish, showcasing their superiority in all departments. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with the ball, while Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Devon Conway led the charge with the bat.Taylor hailed the team's performance as a testament to their hard work and determination. "I think the way they played throughout the whole series... I think we hoped more than thought we were going to win," he said. "But a clean sweep - I think it still hasn't quite sunk in among the New Zealand public, probably for the players as well."The series victory has provided a much-needed boost to cricket in New Zealand, a nation where rugby reigns supreme. "Cricket is fighting for an audience," Taylor noted. "After losing in Sri Lanka, the press after that has changed around completely. I don't think we've had scenes like this since winning the (last) World Test Championship."Taylor believes the team's success in India will inspire future generations of Kiwi cricketers. "It just tells you how high the New Zealand cricket public holds the Indian cricket team and what it's like to go and win over there," he said. "After winning the first Test, it gave the team as well as the public some belief, but I don't think even in our wildest dreams we imagined a clean sweep."New Zealand's triumph is a testament to their resilience and adaptability. They overcame challenging conditions, including India's spin-friendly pitches, to secure a historic victory. The series sweep will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable moments in New Zealand cricket history.

New Zealand's stunning 3-0 series sweep over India at home has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, leaving Australia wary ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.Australia's pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood believes the embarrassing loss could serve as a wake-up call for India, who are now facing a confidence crisis. "It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak," Hazlewood told Sydney Morning Herald. "We will see that when they come out."The Kiwis' triumph marks India's first-ever 3-0 whitewash at home, exposing glaring weaknesses in their batting lineup. In the Bengaluru Test, India collapsed to a dismal 46 runs in the first innings, followed by another batting failure in the second innings.The second Test saw a similar pattern, with India's batsmen failing to capitalize on a strong bowling performance. Chasing 359 runs for victory, they were dismissed for 245 runs.The final Test in Mumbai was another low-scoring affair, with India set a target of 147 runs. Despite a fighting half-century from Rishabh Pant, the batting lineup crumbled once again, bowled out for 121 runs.Hazlewood acknowledged the Kiwis' exceptional performance, stating, "Credit to the Kiwi boys. They played outstanding cricket. To win 3-0 in India is unbelievable."The India vs Australia series commences on November 22 with the first Test taking place in Perth. Adelaide Oval will host the second Test from December 6th to 10th, featuring the captivating day-night format under lights. Brisbane's Gabba will be the venue for the third Test, scheduled from December 14th to 18th. The traditional Boxing Day Test, slated for December 26th to 30th at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the penultimate stage of the series. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.

India's humiliating 3-0 series defeat at home against New Zealand has cast a shadow over their upcoming tour of Australia, which begins on November 22. The loss has raised concerns about the team's preparedness for the high-profile series, especially given the short turnaround time.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has criticized India's spin-centric approach against New Zealand, arguing that it has compromised their ability to handle pace bowling. He has also questioned the decision to cancel the warm-up game ahead of the first Test in Perth.Gavaskar believes that the Australia tour will be a significant challenge for India, particularly for the younger players who are traveling Down Under for the first time. He has urged the team management to reconsider their decision and arrange some warm-up games, even if it means playing against state A teams.The Indian team has a daunting task ahead of them. To qualify for the World Test Championship Final, they must win four out of five matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first Test against Australia is scheduled for November 22-26, followed by a two-day warm-up game in Canberra and the Adelaide Test. The remaining three Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

India's recent Test series whitewash against New Zealand has raised concerns over the poor form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, while Kohli has scored 192.Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha has emphasized the need for these experienced players to take responsibility. "They need to take full responsibility because they are senior players. They are in bad form at the moment, and because of that India's collapse looks worse," Ojha said.Ojha, who played alongside both Rohit and Kohli, believes their poor form is particularly concerning given the young age of the rest of India's top 6. Kohli and Rohit are the only two players over 30 in the lineup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (22), Shubman Gil (25), Rishabh Pant (27), and Sarfaraz Khan (27) completing the batting order.Ojha warned that Australia will not make it easy for Rohit and Kohli during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "The Australia series will be crucial for both of them. If they find form there, India will feel a little bit comfortable. Down Under, Australia will know that India are coming after losing a home series, and that too a whitewash. Australia will be ahead in mind games and make good use of it," he said.While India has won the last two Test series in Australia, their experienced batters have separate issues to deal with. Kohli did not play in three of the four Tests in 2020/21, while Rohit Sharma may miss the first Test at Perth due to an unconfirmed personal reason.

Rishabh Pant's valiant half-century in the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was a beacon of hope for Team India, but his controversial dismissal left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and pundits alike.With India reeling at 29/5 in pursuit of 147 runs for victory, Pant entered the fray and played a counterattacking knock, reaching his fifty in just 48 balls. His aggressive approach gave India a glimmer of hope, but his innings was cut short in the 22nd over.Ajaz Patel's delivery initially appeared to miss Pant's bat, but replays indicated a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed. The on-field umpire initially ruled not out, but New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Patel convinced him to review the decision.After a tense wait, the third umpire ruled in favor of the fielding team, much to the dismay of Pant and the Indian team. Pant briefly contested the decision with the on-field umpire before expressing his disappointment in the dressing room.Despite the setback, Pant finished the three-match series as the top run-scorer with 261 runs at an average of 43.50 and a strike rate of 89.38. His impressive performance included three half-centuries, with a highest score of 99.Pant's dismissal sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the decision. Some argued that the sound on UltraEdge could have been caused by Pant's bat hitting his pads, while others maintained that the ball had clearly nicked the bat.The incident highlighted the challenges of using technology in cricket and the fine line between a legitimate dismissal and an unfortunate error. It also served as a reminder of the immense pressure that players face in high-stakes matches.Despite the loss, Pant's fighting spirit and determination left a lasting impression on fans. His performance in the series showcased his ability to counterattack on challenging pitches and his unwavering belief in his team.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, has been a formidable force in home conditions throughout his Test career. However, during the recent India vs New Zealand series, Ashwin's form dipped significantly, contributing to India's unprecedented 3-0 series loss.In the six innings he played against New Zealand, Ashwin managed only nine wickets, averaging over 41. This was in stark contrast to his recent performances at home, where he had been instrumental in India's 18 consecutive home series wins.In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in 2023, Ashwin picked up 25 wickets in four matches, averaging an impressive 17.28. Against England in 2024, he bagged 26 wickets in five Tests, including two five-wicket hauls. And in the series against Bangladesh in September, he took 11 wickets in two Tests, averaging 19.27.Ashwin's struggles against New Zealand were particularly surprising given the conducive conditions for spin bowling. However, the BlackCaps' bowlers, including the less experienced ones, were able to exploit the conditions better than him.While Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bagged 16 wickets each in the series, Ashwin turned out to be the least effective among India's spinners. This dip in form has raised concerns about Ashwin's ability to continue as India's lead spinner in home conditions.It remains to be seen whether Ashwin can regain his form and help India regain their home dominance. However, the New Zealand series has shown that even the most experienced bowlers can struggle when their form deserts them.