Cricket

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is just around the corner, and excitement is building for the clash between India and Australia. Despite some injury concerns, former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey believes India will put up a strong fight in the five-match series.Hussey acknowledges that India has a history of success in Australia, having won the last two BGTs Down Under. However, he believes the Australian players are eager to prove themselves and level the playing field. He emphasizes the high quality of cricket expected in the series, which has become one of the most sought-after events in the cricket calendar.Hussey highlights the importance of the series for Australian players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, who may see it as their last opportunity to beat India in Australia. He also praises the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach, noting his competitive spirit and ability to instill a winning mentality in his teams.Despite some unsettledness in the Indian camp, Hussey believes the team has the depth and talent to overcome adversity. He dismisses the notion that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are finished, emphasizing their legendary status and ability to perform under pressure.The series is also set to feature a battle between two modern-day great off-spinners, R Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Hussey expects both bowlers to play crucial roles for their respective teams, with Lyon's ability to bowl both offensively and defensively being particularly valuable.Hussey acknowledges that India's recent struggles against spin could be a factor, but he believes Lyon will need to bowl well in Australian conditions to be effective. He also emphasizes the importance of a group mentality for both teams, with India needing to rely on more than just Jasprit Bumrah to succeed.Hussey believes that the IPL has helped foster friendships between Indian and Australian players, but he stresses that once the game starts, it's all about national pride and competition. He advises KL Rahul to trust his game and focus on his preparation, as he is one of the best players in the world when he's at his best.Overall, Hussey is optimistic about the upcoming series, predicting high-quality cricket and a fascinating battle between two great teams.

As the curtain falls on India's home Test series against New Zealand, questions linger about the future of four stalwarts: Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma. With the next home series not scheduled until 2025, concerns arise over whether these veterans will still be donning the whites for India.Since 2012, India has dominated home soil, winning 42 out of 55 Tests. This quartet has played a pivotal role in this success, featuring in 22 of those victories. However, recent performances have raised doubts about their continued dominance.Kohli, once a batting colossus, has struggled against spin in Asia since 2020, averaging a mere 28.3. His dismissals in Pune to Mitch Santner exposed a perceived length issue. Rohit Sharma, too, has abandoned his dependable Test approach, opting for a more aggressive style that has often led to his downfall.Ashwin, despite his remarkable consistency, has shown signs of decline. His lengths have been inconsistent, allowing opposition batters to attack him. Jadeja, known for his nagging accuracy, has also seen his economy rate rise in recent home Tests.The team management's decision to move on from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who were also part of India's golden home run, highlights the changing landscape. The quartet's contributions have been immense, but their longevity remains uncertain.As fans gather at the Wankhede Stadium for the final Test, they should take the opportunity to acknowledge the quartet's achievements. Their dominance at home has been a testament to their skill and dedication. Whether they continue to grace the Indian Test team beyond 2025 remains to be seen, but their legacy will undoubtedly endure.

After suffering a disappointing eight-wicket defeat in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Team India has made a strategic change by adding Washington Sundar to their squad for the remaining two Tests. Sundar, a right-arm off-spinner and left-handed batsman, was not initially included in the squad or even the reserves.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has analyzed the rationale behind Sundar's inclusion. He noted that Sundar's recent century for Tamil Nadu against Delhi may have played a role. However, Chopra also raised concerns about the fitness of R Ashwin, who was brought in to bowl late in the final innings of the Bengaluru Test and bowled only two overs."The question that comes to mind is - what is the Indian team thinking?" Chopra said. "Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of fast bowlers in the traveling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit?"Chopra questioned the logic behind not bowling Ashwin more extensively in the fourth innings, suggesting that he may be carrying an injury. "Was it because of that he was given only two overs on the last day?" he asked. "He was bowled when the match was over. It just did not make sense that you don't bowl Ashwin at all."Sundar's inclusion could indicate that the Indian team is considering playing two spinners in the remaining Tests. However, it remains to be seen whether Ashwin's fitness will allow him to play a full role.

Jasprit Bumrah has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning his India teammate R Ashwin. Bumrah's impressive performance in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed six wickets, propelled him to the summit.Bumrah's rise to the top marks a significant milestone for Indian fast bowling. He is the first Indian pacer to achieve the No. 1 ranking, surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev, who reached a peak of No. 2 in 1979-80.Ashwin, who was named Player of the Series against Bangladesh, remains close behind Bumrah in the rankings, just one point adrift. The Indian duo's dominance at the top of the bowling charts reflects their exceptional skills and consistency.Another notable mover in the Test batting rankings is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young Indian opener has surged to third position after just 11 Tests, following his Player of the Match performance in Kanpur. Jaiswal's impressive start to his Test career has earned him widespread recognition.Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has also made significant strides in the bowling rankings. The left-arm spinner has moved up to joint-seventh after just 16 Tests, thanks to his Player of the Series performance in the 2-0 sweep of New Zealand in Galle.Other notable movements in the Test rankings include Virat Kohli's return to the top 10 among batters. The Indian captain has climbed six places to sixth after his contributions in Kanpur. Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has also moved up to No. 11 following his unbeaten 182 in the second Test in Galle.Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz has risen to fifth among allrounders, making it two Bangladeshis in the top five alongside Shakib Al Hasan, who remains at No. 3.Bumrah's second stint at the top of the Test rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, leading the Indian attack with distinction.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's jovial nature and expressive on-field antics have made him a fan favorite. During the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Rohit's playful demeanor was once again on display.In a viral video, Rohit was seen performing his signature bail flip while fielding. The video captured the essence of Rohit's relaxed yet competitive approach to the game. His animated conversations with teammates and humorous exchanges with opposition players showcase his ability to balance intensity with a sense of fun.India's victory in the first Test was largely due to the brilliance of R Ashwin. After going wicketless in the first innings, Ashwin claimed six wickets in the second innings, including the crucial dismissal of Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque.Ashwin's contributions extended beyond bowling. In the first innings, he scored a gritty century, rescuing India from a precarious position. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja propelled India to a respectable total of 376.For his outstanding performance, Ashwin was named Player of the Match. The focus now shifts to Kanpur, where the second Test match is scheduled to take place from September 27. India, with a 1-0 lead in the series, will be the favorites heading into the second game.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have never managed to defeat India in a Test match. However, they will be determined to make history and level the series in Kanpur.

In the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai, India's swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a triumphant return to the longest format with a dazzling century in the second innings. Pant's aggressive 128-ball 109, coupled with Shubman Gill's unbeaten 119, propelled India to set a formidable target of 515 for Bangladesh in the fourth innings.Pant's innings was a testament to his attacking prowess. After a cautious start, he gradually settled in and unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes. His audacious strokeplay left the Bangladesh bowlers reeling, as he dominated the Chepauk pitch.In a post-match interview, Pant revealed that India's skipper Rohit Sharma had given the batters an hour to bat at the lunch break on Day 3. This directive inspired Pant to aim for a score of 150 or more.Following Pant and Gill's batting masterclass, India's spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc in the fourth innings. Ashwin claimed a six-wicket haul, while Jadeja bagged three wickets, as Bangladesh succumbed to 234 all out.Ashwin's all-round performance, including a century in the first innings, earned him the Player of the Match award. India's comprehensive victory by 280 runs gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19, reached a fever pitch during an intensive practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the entire 16-man squad participated in the rigorous training session.Virat Kohli, one of the team's batting stalwarts, was among the first to enter the nets, facing the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and the spin of R Ashwin, who is set to make his 101st Test appearance. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed opener, joined Kohli in the adjacent net.Following them, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan took their turns at the crease. Sarfaraz had recently arrived in Chennai after participating in the second round of the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur. Rohit, known for his prowess against spin, focused on honing his skills against the Bangladeshi team's spin-heavy attack.Other team members, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, also had their share of batting practice against local bowlers and faced a significant number of throwdowns.The practice pitch on the main square provided a reasonable level of bounce, giving the batsmen a good workout. India has scheduled two additional practice sessions before the series opener against Bangladesh, who are brimming with confidence following their clean sweep in Pakistan.The playing eleven for the first Test is largely self-selecting. The Chennai pitch typically assists spinners, and there's a good chance India will field three spinners and two pacers for the match. Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the likely spinners, while Bumrah and Siraj will handle the pace-bowling duties. Despite his impressive all-round performances across formats, Axar Patel may have to sit out this game.In the batting department, Pant is anticipated to make his Test comeback after a nearly two-year absence. In that case, Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in his debut series against England, will be on the bench.

At 37, R Ashwin is expanding his batting range in his first full Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) season. Known for his boundary-hitting prowess down the ground, Ashwin has been working on playing boundary shots square of the wicket, a strategy that has paid off.In Qualifier 2 against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Ashwin dismantled left-arm fingerspinners R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram with reverse-sweeps, scoring 28 off nine balls. Overall, he has amassed 200 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 166.66, with five innings coming at the top or No. 3 for Dindigul Dragons."Everything is work in progress," Ashwin said. "I felt like I needed to widen my game square of the wicket because I know I can hit the ball down the ground. I wanted to explore other options to keep myself interested in the game."Dindigul's rookie left-arm fingerspinner P Vignesh, who missed the Under-19 World Cup cut for India, has impressed with his accuracy and control. In Qualifier 2, he claimed 3 for 8 and the Player-of-the-Match award.Ashwin urged the next generation of cricketers to embrace failures and improve their skills. "Missing the Under-19 cut is not the end of the world," he said. "Failure and success are normal, and people become better only through failures. I hope they're ready to expand their game and find answers to the questions that are going to be asked."Meanwhile, Shahrukh Khan of Lyca Kovai Kings has been working on a technical tweak to improve his game against spin. He has been using a trigger movement where he pushes his weight forward, which has helped him score off both the front and back foot.Shahrukh's overall strike rate against pace in the IPL is 161.11, but it falls to 112 against spin. However, in IPL 2024, he managed to lift his strike rate against spin to 168.75.Despite losing to Dindigul in the league phase, Shahrukh is confident his team can put together their "best cricket" in the final. "We're taking it as just another game," he said. "We still haven't played our best cricket this year, and we will try and do that."

India's T20 World Cup triumphs have been built on the foundation of exceptional bowling performances. Throughout the tournament's history, Indian bowlers have stepped up to deliver match-winning spells, showcasing their talent on the global stage.Arshdeep Singh's recent career-best spell of 4/9 against USA in New York stands as the best bowling figures for India in the tournament's history. His two wickets in the first over dismantled the co-host's batting lineup, restricting them to a below-par total.Before Arshdeep's heroics, R Ashwin's memorable performance against Australia in Mirpur in 2014 held the record. Ashwin's 4 wickets for 11 runs were crucial in India's victory, as he spun a web around the Australian batsmen, leaving them struggling to find runs.Harbhajan Singh also showcased his skills in 2012 against England in Colombo, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. His experience and guile were too much for the English batsmen, securing a vital win for India.Other notable bowling performances for India in T20 World Cups include:* RP Singh's 4 wickets for 13 runs against South Africa in Durban in 2007* Zaheer Khan's 4 wickets for 19 runs against Ireland in Nottingham in 2009* Pragyan Ojha's 4 wickets for 21 runs against Bangladesh in Nottingham in 2009These remarkable bowling performances underline India's strength in the bowling department across different T20 World Cups. Each bowler brought their unique style and skill, contributing significantly to India's successes in the tournament.