Cricket

India and Australia are set to clash in the highly anticipated opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth on November 22. The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, is aiming for a historic third consecutive triumph on Australian soil.India has enjoyed recent success in Australia, securing back-to-back series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21. To qualify directly for the World Test Championship final in 2025, India needs to win four Tests in this series.Australia, on the other hand, has not defeated India in a home Test series since 2014-15. The two teams also faced off in the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup final last year, with Australia emerging victorious in both.This series marks the first five-Test encounter between India and Australia in over 30 years. The weather forecast for Perth on November 22 predicts pleasant conditions with a partly sunny sky and a minimal chance of rain.India's squad includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. Australia's squad features Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Lyon.The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top Test teams. India will be looking to continue their dominance in Australia, while the hosts will be eager to regain their home advantage.

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will face a formidable challenge from India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, as the visitors aim for an unprecedented third consecutive series win on Australian soil. India's quest will be spearheaded by new captain Rohit Sharma, who is eager to etch his name in history.The series opener will commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated clash between two cricketing powerhouses. India has enjoyed remarkable success in Australia in recent years, securing back-to-back series victories under Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.Cummins, however, is confident in his team's ability to halt India's winning streak. "Yes, yes is the answer," he declared when asked about Australia's chances. He acknowledged India's strong organization and planning but expressed confidence in his team's recent successes in the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup.India's pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who has an impressive record in Australia. Cummins identified Bumrah as India's X-factor, highlighting his ability to play a pivotal role in the series.The absence of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane from India's squad has been noted by Cummins. He praised Pujara's resilience and acknowledged the challenge of facing him. "It's going to feel a bit different without him," Cummins said.India's young bowling trio of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep will be eager to make their mark in the series, while Australia will rely on the experience of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. India will be determined to continue their dominance in Australia, while Cummins and his team will be equally determined to reclaim the trophy.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated cricket series between India and Australia, has sparked discussions among experts and former players. Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has identified two key battles that will shape the outcome of the five-match series.Vaughan believes that the clash between Australia's captain Pat Cummins and India's star batsman Virat Kohli will be a pivotal matchup. Cummins, known for his exceptional pace and swing, will face off against Kohli, one of the most prolific run-scorers in Test cricket.Another intriguing battle, according to Vaughan, will be between India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Australia's left-handed batsman Travis Head. Head has been a thorn in India's side in recent encounters, including the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test uncertain, Vaughan suggests that Bumrah could lead the Indian team in Perth. "Pound for pound, I think Bumrah is the best bowler in the world," Vaughan said. "I'm looking forward to that kind of confrontation."Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist also weighed in on the upcoming series, highlighting the rivalry between Rishabh Pant and Nathan Lyon. Pant has a history of attacking Lyon's off-spin bowling, and Gilchrist believes this matchup will be crucial."Rishabh can go through the gears as quickly as anyone, from complete defense to all out assault and attack on a bowler," Gilchrist said. "That would be fascinating."Other potential matchups to watch include Steve Smith against Bumrah and David Warner against Mohammed Shami. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams boasting world-class players and a history of intense rivalry.

Pakistan's stunning victory over Australia in the ODI series has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side, despite recent struggles, outplayed the hosts in a historic triumph.Australia's surrender of the series marks the first time in 22 years that they have lost an ODI series to Pakistan at home. The defeat was compounded by an unprecedented record: not a single Australian batter managed to score a half-century throughout the bilateral series.The absence of Australia's top players, who were rested ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, played a significant role in Pakistan's success. While the Australian team was being hammered in Perth, captain Pat Cummins was enjoying a Coldplay concert in Sydney.Cummins' decision to attend the concert while his team was struggling drew criticism from the Australian media. The Sydney Morning Herald questioned why Cummins was "at Coldplay while Australia were smashed," while The Australian labeled his absence a "cold start to summer."Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed concerns over the team management's decision to rest key players in the third ODI. He questioned why the team prioritized rest over a chance to secure the series win."I'm just a bit confused. With 11 days between now and the first Test, why can't the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer?" Clarke said.Pakistan's victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. They seized the opportunity presented by Australia's weakened team and played with unwavering focus and intensity. The series win is a major boost for Pakistan's confidence ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Shah Rukh Khan, the iconic Bollywood superstar and co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been a constant presence at KKR matches, cheering on his team and inspiring fans. Under his ownership, KKR has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but Khan's unwavering support has made him a symbol of loyalty for the franchise.Khan's global fame has also drawn a vast international fan base to KKR. Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who played for KKR from 2014 to 2022, recently revealed in a podcast that he was initially unaware of Khan's celebrity status."The first time I met Shah Rukh Khan, I had no idea who he was," Cummins admitted. "I had never watched a Bollywood film. But I could sense his aura and the respect he commanded from the other players."Cummins praised Khan's leadership style, describing him as "very funny, very cute, and always encouraging us to enjoy ourselves and play with freedom." He contrasted this with other owners who put pressure on their players.Despite his commitment to KKR, Cummins opted out of the 2023 IPL season to focus on national duties and manage his workload. However, he returned to the IPL in 2024, joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a record-breaking Rs 20.5 crore.Under Cummins' leadership, SRH reached the final of the 2024 IPL, ultimately losing to KKR. Despite the defeat, Cummins' performance and the team's success showcased his value as a player and leader.Shah Rukh Khan's passion for KKR and his unwavering support for his players have made him an integral part of the franchise. His presence has not only inspired the team but has also drawn a global audience to the IPL, further solidifying the league's status as one of the most popular sporting events in the world.

Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, is preparing for the highly anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India after a disappointing nine-wicket loss to Pakistan in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval. Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf's impressive five-wicket haul dismantled the Australian batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 163 runs in 35 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi's three wickets for 26 runs in eight overs further showcased Pakistan's fast-bowling dominance on the seam-friendly Australian pitches.In response, Pakistan's openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, provided a solid foundation with a 137-run partnership. Ayub, in particular, displayed his attacking prowess, scoring 82 runs off 71 balls, including six sixes and five fours. Spinner Adam Zampa claimed the only wicket for Pakistan, dismissing Ayub in the 21st over. Babar Azam (15 not out) and Shafique (64 not out) guided Pakistan to a resounding nine-wicket victory, leveling the three-match series 1-1.Australia will be without several key players, including Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, for the series decider in Perth on Sunday. Cummins, who bowled seven wicketless overs, acknowledged Australia's shortcomings, particularly in batting. "We should have done better and scored more than 160," he said.In Cummins' absence, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will lead the side in Perth as the BGT-bound squad shifts its focus to the red-ball format. "We have a week at home. Good training sessions needed, mind now switches to the red ball," Cummins said.The first Test between India and Australia will commence in Perth on November 22.

Ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and Australia, Pakistan's interim head coach Jason Gillespie has drawn comparisons between star pacers Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah. Gillespie, a former Australia pacer, emphasized the similarities in their relentless approach and ability to create wickets when others struggle.Gillespie highlighted the relentless nature of Cummins and Bumrah, who consistently attack batters with challenging lines and lengths. He praised their ability to ask questions of batsmen's technique and force them into making mistakes."Their major strength is they are pretty relentless in attacking the batters," Gillespie said. "They have a good pace, bowl challenging lines and lengths. They are always asking questions about batsmen's technique. They are always making sure that the batsman has to make good decisions or they will get themselves out."Gillespie also acknowledged the unique ability of Cummins and Bumrah to produce unplayable deliveries, whether through late swing, extra pace, or unpredictable movement off the surface. He described their knack for creating wickets out of seemingly nothing as a rare and valuable asset."They just have a knack for creating a wicket when there doesn't seem to be a wicket," Gillespie said. "They just create opportunities seemingly out of nowhere."With India missing the services of injured pacer Mohammed Shami, Gillespie believes Bumrah holds the key for the visitors. He praised Bumrah's importance in the current Indian Test set-up and highlighted his ability to lead the bowling attack."Mohammed Siraj is a nice bowler, he bowled some pretty good spells the last time he was here," Gillespie said. "But I still think the key bowler for India is Bumrah."Gillespie also commented on the venue for the series opener in Perth, describing it as a fast and bouncy track that will challenge batters early on but play well as the match progresses.

In a thrilling series opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's Pat Cummins once again proved his mettle in a batting crisis, guiding the world champions to a tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan.Cummins, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup, displayed nerves of steel with a crucial knock of 32 from 31 balls. His innings pushed Australia past Pakistan's modest total of 203 with 16.3 overs to spare.The hosts were in a precarious position at 155 for seven when Cummins arrived at the crease. Pakistan, energized by a three-wicket burst from Haris Rauf, sensed an opportunity for their first ODI win in Australia in nearly eight years.However, Cummins, who also claimed two wickets with the ball, rose to the occasion. He smashed a four past Mohammad Hasnain to level the scores and then punched a single to seal the victory.Mitchell Starc, who took three wickets, was named man-of-the-match for his impressive bowling performance.Pakistan's top batter, Babar Azam, returned to the lineup after being dropped for the second and third tests against England. He made 37 before being dismissed by Adam Zampa.Debutant Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique failed to impress as openers, both falling cheaply to Starc. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 44, while Irfan Khan made 22.Tail-enders Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan provided some late resistance with their slogging, but it was not enough to prevent Australia from securing the win.Australia were without four players from their World Cup-winning team, including David Warner, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh.Openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to make a significant impact, while Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put on a brief partnership before falling to Pakistan's pacemen.Haris Rauf's spell, which included the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell, gave Pakistan hope. However, Cummins' heroics ultimately proved too much for the visitors.

Kamran Ghulam's baptism by fire on Australian soil proved to be a baptism by fire indeed. The Pakistani batsman, playing only his second ODI, faced the daunting task of navigating the bouncy tracks of Melbourne against a formidable Australian bowling attack.Ghulam's debut innings began promisingly, with a crisp boundary off Adam Zampa's flighted delivery. However, the joy was short-lived as he soon found himself facing the wily Pat Cummins.Cummins, with his trademark precision, tested Ghulam's technique with a series of probing deliveries. Ghulam's mistimed pull shot and subsequent "wait on" drew a wry smile from the Australian captain.The decisive moment came when Cummins unleashed a venomous short ball that was aimed directly at Ghulam's head. The Pakistani batsman, caught off guard by the pace and trajectory, could only watch in horror as the ball took off his glove and flew straight into the waiting hands of Josh Inglis.Ghulam's dismissal was a testament to the relentless pressure applied by the Australian bowlers. Pakistan, struggling against the precision bowling, were eventually bundled out for a paltry 203, with Mitchell Starc and Cummins claiming three and two wickets respectively.Ghulam's experience in Melbourne highlights the challenges faced by young batsmen making the transition to international cricket. The flat pitches of Pakistan offer a stark contrast to the bouncy tracks of Australia, and the quality of bowling is second to none.Despite the setback, Ghulam's performance showed glimpses of his potential. His ability to hit the ball cleanly and his willingness to take on the short ball suggest that he has the makings of a top-class batsman. With time and experience, he could become a valuable asset to the Pakistani team.