Cricket

Australia Prepares Green Pitch for India in Perth Test, Favoring Fast BowlersAustralia is reportedly preparing a green pitch for the first Test match against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The outfield and pitch are expected to be lush, providing an advantage to fast bowlers. This could pose a significant threat to India's batting lineup, especially in the absence of key players Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.The green pitch conditions suggest that India may opt for a single spinner in their playing XI. Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin could be relegated to the bench, while pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana are likely to make their Test debuts.Australia's famed pace bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will be a formidable force on a green pitch. Their ability to generate pace and swing could prove challenging for India's batsmen.The conditions also favor India's pace bowlers, who will be eager to make an impact. Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana are all vying for the two remaining pace bowling spots alongside Jasprit Bumrah.Bumrah will lead India in the first Test in Rohit Sharma's absence. He has previously captained India in one Test match, where they suffered a defeat.The first Test between Australia and India gets underway on Friday, November 22. The green pitch and the absence of key players will make for an intriguing contest.

India's Test XI for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth is shaping up to prioritize pace and bounce, given the conditions at Optus Stadium. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unavailable, KL Rahul is likely to return to the top of the order, while Devdutt Padikkal is expected at No. 3.Dhruv Jurel is a strong contender for the No. 6 spot, having impressed with his fielding and batting in the nets. Sarfaraz Khan, another contender, had a less impressive day.Nitish Kumar Reddy is being considered as a bowling all-rounder, capable of extending India's batting depth to No. 8. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to take the spin bowling spot, given Australia's left-handed batting lineup.The pace attack is still uncertain, with Harshit Rana gaining momentum after his performance in match simulations. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep are also in contention, while Prasidh Krishna has shown promise in the nets.India's XI is likely to be inexperienced, with Jurel, Reddy, Rana, Prasidh, and Padikkal having played only seven Tests combined. However, the team is banking on their potential to adapt to the challenging conditions in Perth.

Virat Kohli's exceptional batting prowess in Australia is a testament to his remarkable skills as a batsman. In his 13 Test matches on Australian soil, he has amassed an impressive 1352 runs at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four half-centuries.Among his many memorable innings in Australia, one stands out as his most cherished, despite coming in a losing cause. During the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli produced a masterful 123-run performance in Perth, a venue renowned for its lightning-fast and bouncy pitch. His knock, which included 13 boundaries and one six, remains his finest achievement in Australia."My best knock in Australia will definitely be my 100 at Perth. 2018-19 series that we played. I thought that was the toughest pitch that I played on in Test cricket. It was great to get a hundred on that tour," Kohli said in a video uploaded by the BCCI titled "Ask the Next One".Despite Kohli's brilliant century, India suffered a 146-run defeat in that match. However, the series saw India, captained by Kohli, secure victory in the first Test by 31 runs, followed by the Perth loss. They bounced back to win in Melbourne by 137 runs and drew in Sydney, clinching the four-match series 2-1.This victory marked India's first-ever Test series win on Australian territory, a testament to Kohli's leadership and the team's resilience. Kohli's exceptional record in Australia is a reflection of his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and perform at the highest level. His 123-run knock in Perth stands as a shining example of his batting prowess and his unwavering determination to succeed.

Team India's Woes Mount as Shubman Gill Suffers Finger InjuryAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Team India has been dealt another blow with the injury to star batter Shubman Gill. During a match simulation in Perth on Saturday, Gill sustained a finger injury while fielding in the slips.Sources close to the team have confirmed Gill's injury but have emphasized that it is premature to rule him out of the opening Test in Perth, scheduled to commence on November 22. The medical team is closely monitoring his condition."Yes, Shubman Gill is injured, but it is too early to rule him out of the opening Test. The medical team is keeping a close watch on him," said a well-placed source.This latest injury concern follows the news of KL Rahul being struck by a ball during practice, rendering him unable to continue. Virat Kohli, too, had been hampered by an injury concern but was later cleared after scans revealed no significant issues."Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there," a source told TimesofIndia.com.The Indian contingent in Perth has been engaged in intense net sessions and match simulations over the past two days. Initially, a practice match was planned, but the management opted for match simulations on the center wicket instead.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious four-match Test series between India and Australia. The first Test will be played at the Perth Stadium, followed by matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.Team India will be hoping for a positive update on Gill's injury as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in 2018-19.

Ravi Shastri, India's former head coach, has revealed his predicted playing XI for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia in Perth. With regular captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the match, Shastri believes Shubman Gill should open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.Shastri also suggested that KL Rahul should bat at No. 3, followed by Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel. Jurel, who impressed in the unofficial Tests against Australia A, could play as a specialist batter, according to Shastri.In the middle order, Shastri believes pushing Gill up the order would allow India to strengthen their batting lineup. He also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja should be preferred over Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner in Perth's bouncy conditions.Shastri further proposed that all-rounder Nitish Reddy could be included as the fourth fast bowler, giving India an additional seam-up option alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj.Shastri emphasized the importance of the opening match in setting the tone for the series, which will be contested over five Tests for the first time. He believes that India should field their strongest possible team to secure a positive start.

Sarfaraz Khan Suffers Injury Scare in Team India's Perth Training SessionIndian batter Sarfaraz Khan has raised concerns after sustaining an injury during Team India's training session in Perth. The incident occurred while Sarfaraz was batting in the nets, preparing for the upcoming first Test against Australia.The 27-year-old was struck on his right elbow, causing him to walk off the field in visible pain. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but Sarfaraz's abrupt departure has raised concerns given his recent impressive form.Sarfaraz is a contender to play in the Perth Test at Optus Stadium, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to be absent due to personal reasons. He faces competition for the middle-order spot from experienced batter KL Rahul and promising wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.Sarfaraz has a solid Test record, having scored 371 runs in six matches at an average of 37.10. He has registered a century, three fifties, and a top score of 150. However, he has yet to play a Test outside India, and the challenge of proving himself on Australia's fast and bouncy pitches awaits him.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Sarfaraz's condition and hoping that the injury is not serious. His availability for the Perth Test will be crucial, as India aims to start the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on a positive note.

The Indian cricket team has decided to open its center-wicket training sessions to the public from Friday to Sunday, allowing fans to witness their preparations for the upcoming Test match against Australia at Perth Stadium. This decision contradicts an earlier report in the Australian media that claimed the team's practice sessions would be closed to the public.The Australian newspaper had reported that construction workers refurbishing the WACA ground had received an email from their CEO instructing them not to watch, photograph, or fly drones during India's net sessions. The email reportedly stated that the public was barred from observing India's training, and even workers in the area were prohibited from taking a peek.However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied sending any such official communication. A source within the BCCI stated that neither India nor India A had requested closed-door net sessions. The practice sessions are open to all, and the Indian and Australian media are welcome to cover them as long as they wish.The source also revealed that India A players have arrived in Perth and will participate in an intra-squad match. This match will not be an official three-day first-class fixture, but rather a match simulation where batters can bat multiple times. The management aims to provide quality center-wicket training for bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who will bowl to Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.This approach is similar to the one adopted by India during their tour of England during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they traveled with a large squad of around 23-24 players. The team management believes that this format allows for more focused and effective training.

Mohammed Shami's exceptional performance in the second Test against Australia in Perth in December 2018 remains a testament to his lethal bowling prowess in pace-friendly conditions. His remarkable 6/56, not only his best bowling figures, but also the fourth best by an Indian bowler in Australia at the time, played a pivotal role in India's eventual Test series triumph.Shami's absence of wickets in the first innings was more than compensated by his devastating spell in the second. With India opting for a four-pronged pace attack, Shami emerged as the standout performer, ripping through Australia's lower middle-order. His hat-trick attempt, dismissed by Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, showcased his relentless aggression.Shami's success stemmed from his ability to exploit the Perth pitch's pace and bounce. His consistent pace and movement off the seam troubled the Australian batsmen, forcing them into errors. Targeting the stumps with precision, Shami's high-paced deliveries proved too potent for the opposition.Despite Shami's heroics, India's lack of a balanced bowling attack ultimately cost them the match. The inability to chase down the 287-run target resulted in a 146-run defeat. However, Shami's performance underlined his status as one of India's premier pace bowlers, particularly on overseas tours.Shami's 6/56 in Perth showcased his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and deliver match-winning performances. His skill in extracting the best from pace-friendly pitches, combined with his relentless pace and accuracy, makes him a formidable force in the international arena.

Dhruv Jurel's impressive performance in the second unofficial Test against Australia 'A' has put him in contention for a spot in India's playing XI for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Perth.Jurel, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, has shown his mettle with a fighting knock of 80 off 186 balls against Australia 'A'. With Rishabh Pant firmly established as India's first-choice wicketkeeper, Jurel's chances of playing as a wicketkeeper are slim. However, his batting prowess could earn him a spot as a specialist batsman.With captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test due to injury, KL Rahul is expected to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has also been in contention for the opening spot, has failed to impress against Australia 'A'.This leaves the middle order as a potential opening for Jurel. Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in and out of the Test team, has not been in the best of form lately. His brittle temperament could also be a concern against the aggressive Australian bowlers.Jurel, on the other hand, has shown his ability to handle pressure and play long innings. His 90 in the Rajkot Test against England is a testament to his batting skills.If coach Gautam Gambhir decides to include Jurel in the playing XI, he could replace Sarfaraz Khan in the middle order. Jurel's experience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the first Test will be played, could also be a factor in his favor.