Cricket

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised to make a much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year. The experienced pacer is expected to represent his state team, Bengal, in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, marking a significant step in his rehabilitation journey.According to sources, Shami is likely to feature in at least one of Bengal's initial Ranji fixtures, either against Uttar Pradesh on October 11 in an away game or versus Bihar in Kolkata on October 18. However, considering the short two-day gap between the matches, it is improbable that he will participate in both encounters.Shami's return to domestic cricket could potentially pave the way for his international comeback, with a possible appearance in one of the Test matches against New Zealand later this year. The Test series against New Zealand kicks off on October 19 in Bengaluru, with additional matches scheduled in Pune on October 24 and Mumbai on November 1. Shami is anticipated to participate in one of these games before heading to Australia for the major tour.The 34-year-old speedster last represented India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2022. Since then, Shami has not played any competitive matches due to undergoing ankle surgery in the United Kingdom in February of this year, which ruled him out for at least six months.Although there were reports suggesting Shami might be available for the Duleep Trophy, it has been determined that he is unlikely to be fit for the tournament. The selectors are cautious about rushing his return prematurely, prioritizing his long-term fitness for the upcoming Test series in Australia.Shami, one of India's leading pace bowlers, has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls. His return to the national team will be a major boost for India's bowling attack, which has been missing his experience and skill.

Yere Goud has been reappointed as the head coach of the Karnataka men's cricket team, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced on Thursday. Goud replaces P.V. Shashikanth, who took charge in 2022.Goud previously held the post of Karnataka head coach from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, the team won the Ranji Trophy in 2019 and 2022, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2019.Shashikant's departure comes after a middling 2023-24 season, where Karnataka reached the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.Goud, who was in charge of the Karnataka under-23 team that clinched a maiden C.K. Nayudu Trophy earlier this year, will be assisted by former Karnataka fast bowler Mansur Ali Khan as the senior men's bowling coach. J. Abhiram continues as the chairman of the senior men's selection committee.

Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a significant return to first-class cricket by leading Jharkhand in the upcoming Buchi Babu Trophy, a pre-season red-ball tournament in Tamil Nadu. Kishan's inclusion in the squad marks a crucial step towards his full-fledged comeback to the Ranji Trophy fold, which is expected during the 2024-25 season.Kishan's decision to participate in the Buchi Babu Trophy stems from his desire to return to first-class cricket, which he communicated to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). His last domestic first-class game was in December 2022, and his absence from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 season cost him a place on the BCCI's central contracts list.Kishan's return to red-ball cricket comes at a time when India is embarking on a long Test season, comprising 10 games over the next five months. However, a comeback to the Test team will not be easy. Kishan made his Test debut during India's tour of the West Indies last year, but his last first-class game remains the second Test of that Caribbean tour in July 2023.Despite being picked in the Test squad for the 2023-24 South Africa tour, Kishan requested to be released citing mental fatigue. He also declined a Test return during the five-Test home series against England earlier this year, informing the selectors that he wasn't ready.With Rishabh Pant now back in action and Dhruv Jurel impressing in the recent Test series against England, Kishan faces a tough challenge to regain his place in India's red-ball setup. However, his participation in the Buchi Babu Trophy and his expressed desire to return to the Ranji Trophy indicate his determination to prove his worth.

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has made a triumphant return to the West Bengal cricket team after a two-year stint with Tripura. Saha, who originally played for Bengal from 2007 to 2022, rejoined the team with aspirations of leading them to victory in major domestic tournaments.Saha's departure from Bengal in 2022 was prompted by a public fallout with a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official, who accused him of fabricating excuses to skip Ranji Trophy matches. This dispute led Saha to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play for Tripura."After playing for almost 15 years with the West Bengal cricket team, I played for the Tripura cricket team for two years. Now I have returned to play for the West Bengal cricket team... As a wicket-keeper batsman, I will try my best to help the team win major tournaments," Saha told ANI.Saha's return to Bengal is seen as a significant boost to the team's prospects in the upcoming domestic season. His experience and leadership will be invaluable assets to the team, which is aiming to win its first Ranji Trophy title since 1990.CAB president Snehasish Ganguly welcomed Saha's return, praising his impressive record of 40 Tests for India. "When Saha is there, he always gives his 200 percent. We are very focused on domestic cricket. We have a very good side this time," Ganguly said.Saha last played for India in 2021, scoring 1,353 runs in 40 Tests, which includes three centuries and six fifties. He has also represented India in five ODIs.Saha's return to Bengal is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the game and his desire to contribute to the success of his home state. His experience and leadership will be crucial as Bengal looks to challenge for domestic supremacy in the upcoming season.

Seasoned Tamil Nadu batter Baba Aparajith is set to don the Kerala jersey, as confirmed by The Hindu. The 30-year-old has been released by Tamil Nadu and is expected to join Kerala shortly.Aparajith, who has amassed 4571 runs in 90 First Class matches, including 11 centuries, was not selected for the Tamil Nadu Ranji team last season. However, he has maintained his form, scoring a 54-ball 72 for Chepauk Super Gillies in the TNPL eliminator.Kerala's batting lineup, which features strokemakers like Sanju Samson and Rohan Kunnummal, is expected to benefit from Aparajith's experience and technique. His off-spin bowling skills could also prove valuable.Aparajith's move to Kerala is seen as a positive step for the team, which has struggled in recent Ranji Trophy seasons. His experience and leadership qualities could help guide Kerala to better performances.The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has confirmed Aparajith's release, with a senior official stating that he approached them about his desire to move to Kerala. The TNCA has no objections and will provide him with a No Objection Certificate (NOC).Aparajith's move to Kerala is a testament to his determination to continue playing at the highest level. He will be hoping to make a significant contribution to Kerala's cricket and help them achieve success in the upcoming season.

Hanuma Vihari, the out-of-favor India Test batter, is set to make a sensational return to the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after publicly declaring earlier this year that he would "never play for Andhra again." This U-turn comes after Vihari received assurances of full support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the state's new ruling party.Vihari's decision to rejoin ACA follows a lengthy public spat with the association after the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign. He had alleged "political interference" and "humiliation" as reasons for stepping down as captain at the start of the season. However, after meetings with TDP officials, Vihari has confirmed his return."I'm so happy to meet minister Nara Lokesh gaaru today, and he assured me that I will have full support coming back to Andhra Cricket Association," Vihari told reporters. "I am so happy meeting him, and I have got full assurance after meeting him. I understand his aspirations for the Andhra Cricket Association."Vihari's return to Andhra cricket has left the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) fuming. Vihari was in talks to play for Madhya Pradesh last year, but the move fell through. ESPNcricinfo understands that Vihari's contract as a professional with MPCA was a formality after he had held talks with Chandrakant Pandit, MPCA's director of cricket.Vihari, 30, has played 16 Tests for India, scoring 839 runs at an average of 33.56. He has also represented Hyderabad and Andhra in domestic cricket. His return to Andhra is expected to boost the team's chances in the upcoming domestic season.

Samad Fallah, Maharashtra's legendary left-arm swing bowler, has bid farewell to professional cricket, leaving an indelible mark on the domestic circuit. With 272 Ranji Trophy wickets, Fallah stands as the state's highest wicket-taker, amassing 287 first-class wickets in 78 matches at an impressive average of 28.48.Fallah's impact extended beyond the Ranji Trophy, as he claimed 75 List A wickets and 62 T20 wickets. His pivotal role in Maharashtra's sole senior-level silverware since 1940-41 remains etched in the annals of the state's cricket history. In the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) in March 2010, Fallah's match-winning four-wicket haul propelled Maharashtra to victory.Fallah's last official match was a Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-overs) game for Uttarakhand in March 2021. After a brief stint with Uttarakhand, he returned to Maharashtra and expressed his availability for selection in all three formats. However, fate had other plans, and he was unable to resume his playing career.Now 39 years old, Fallah has transitioned into the role of head coach for Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League. His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary journey that began in an unconventional manner. Fallah never played representative age-group cricket, but his eye-catching performances in tennis-ball tournaments paved the way for his entry into club cricket.Fallah's Maharashtra debut at 22 was a resounding success, as he claimed a match-winning six-wicket haul against Himachal Pradesh in November 2007. He quickly established himself as the spearhead of Maharashtra's attack, consistently taking 20-plus wickets in every Ranji season from 2007-08 to 2014-15.During his peak, Maharashtra boasted one of the most formidable seam attacks in Indian domestic cricket. Fallah, Anupam Sanklecha, Domnic Muthuswami, and Shrikant Mundhe formed a formidable quartet that led the team to the Ranji final in 2013-14 and the semi-finals in 2014-15. Fallah's crowning moment came in the semi-final against Bengal in Indore in January 2014, where he claimed 7 for 58 on the first morning, bowling Bengal out for a paltry 114.Fallah's unconventional approach to bowling was as unique as his path to professional cricket. He relished long spells of nine or ten overs, often varying his run-up and approach to the crease. His ability to unsettle batters with his zigzag run-up and unpredictable angles made him a formidable opponent.At the time of his retirement, Fallah stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy among left-arm fast bowlers, trailing only Jaydev Unadkat (316). Hiralal Gaekwad, who played from 1941 to 1963, claimed 278 wickets, but he bowled a combination of left-arm spin and seam.Samad Fallah's retirement marks the end of an era for Maharashtra cricket. His legacy as a prolific wicket-taker and a key figure in the state's only senior-level silverware will forever be etched in the hearts of Maharashtra's cricket enthusiasts.

Shreyas Iyer, India's middle-order batter, has expressed his disappointment over the lack of communication and unfavorable decisions that followed the ODI World Cup last year. Despite his impressive performance in the tournament, where he was the third-highest run-scorer for India, Iyer was excluded from the BCCI's central contract list.Iyer's exclusion was reportedly due to the perception that he and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan had prioritized the IPL over domestic cricket. While Kishan had skipped domestic cricket entirely in the first half of the year, Iyer had participated in a few Ranji Trophy matches."Due to lack of communication, there were some decisions that didn't go in my favor," Iyer said in a video released on his YouTube page. "But at the end of the day, the bat is always going to be in my hand and it's on me how to perform and win trophies."Iyer's determination was evident in his performances in the Ranji Trophy and IPL. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title win this year and played a crucial role in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph."I decided that once I win Ranji Trophy and IPL, that would be an apt answer for whatever happened in the past," Iyer said. "Thankfully, everything fell to the right place."Iyer also credited his hard work in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for his improved form. "After the surgery, I was at NCA, practicing in the nets. I have never batted for so long in my life," he said. "I used to always restrict myself from batting in the nets because I complained that the wickets weren't that great.""Suddenly, I just told myself that 'put yourself in tough situations because the war is won outside the field, not on the field'," he added. "When you play with your mind, when you challenge your mind to put yourself in tough situations and you decide for yourself whether you're going to win or not."Iyer's determination and hard work have paid off, and he is now back in contention for a place in the Indian team. His performances in the upcoming series against Australia will be crucial in determining his future with the national side.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season, prioritizing player well-being and the development of women's cricket. The season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, followed by the Irani Cup and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.The white-ball tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will follow. The Ranji Trophy will then resume with the final two league matches and the knockout stages.To ensure player welfare, the BCCI has incorporated an extended gap between matches, allowing for ample recovery time. Additionally, all Women's challenger tournaments will feature teams selected by the national selectors.The CK Nayudu Trophy will undergo a revamp, introducing a new points system that rewards balanced performances in batting and bowling. The toss will also be abolished for CK Nayudu Trophy matches, with the visiting team choosing whether to bat or bowl first.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of player well-being and the development of women's cricket in the scheduling process. He stated, "To prioritize player welfare, an extended gap between matches has been incorporated, ensuring ample time for recovery and sustained peak performance."The new points system in the CK Nayudu Trophy aims to encourage all-round performances and will be evaluated post-season for potential implementation in the Ranji Trophy in subsequent seasons.