Cricket

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India is highly anticipated, with Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting comparing the rivalry to the iconic Ashes series. Ponting believes these battles are among the most eagerly awaited in world cricket.The first Test of the series will commence at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 22. Ponting has emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive yet fair spirit throughout the series. He anticipates intense matches played on the edge, with both teams refusing to concede an inch."Australia-England, with the history of the Ashes, but Australia-India is not far behind that and it's built up over a long period," Ponting said. "I think we all look forward to these sorts of battles. As a past player, as a commentator, I want to see these two teams go out there and play hard and fair and then see who is left standing at the end of the next five games."Ponting highlighted the significance of the rivalry, stating that it is now one of the biggest in world sport, not just cricket. He expects the matches to be played with a competitive edge, with both teams determined to emerge victorious.The series will feature a day-night Test in Adelaide from December 6 to 10, followed by Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The squads for the first Test have been announced, with Rohit Sharma leading India and Pat Cummins captaining Australia.Ponting's comments underscore the intense rivalry between Australia and India, which has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to continue this tradition of thrilling and competitive matches.

Virat Kohli's immense popularity in Australia stems from his passionate and aggressive approach to cricket, particularly in Test matches. Despite recent challenges in his form, his prominence in Australia remains undiminished.Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting attributes Kohli's appeal to his competitive spirit and willingness to play with his heart on his sleeve. Australian supporters appreciate this emotional and aggressive style, which aligns with their sporting values.Kohli's Test performance in Australia is remarkable, with 1352 runs in 25 innings at 54.08, including six centuries. He led India to a historic victory in 2018/19, achieving the first Test series win by an Asian team in Australia.Ponting emphasizes that Kohli's recognition from Australian supporters is earned through performance. He notes that international cricket stars face varying pressures across different nations and cultures, but Kohli's leadership qualities and willingness to take responsibility for his team in challenging situations have earned him respect.Despite recent struggles in form, Kohli's historical success in Australia suggests that the upcoming tour could be a turning point. In 13 Tests in Australia, he has scored 1,352 runs at 54.08, with six centuries and four fifties.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 at Perth, followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6-10. The series continues at The Gabba, Brisbane (December 14-18), followed by the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30). The final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (January 3-7) concludes this significant series.

A verbal clash has erupted between Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and Australian legend Ricky Ponting, igniting a war of words that has drawn reactions from former cricketers.The controversy began when Ponting criticized Virat Kohli's recent form and questioned his place in the Test team. Gambhir, in a press conference, reacted strongly, urging Ponting to focus on his own team.However, Gambhir's comments have sparked criticism from some former players, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan. Vaughan, in a podcast discussion, labeled Gambhir as a "spicy" coach and expressed disagreement with his stance on barring foreign pundits from commenting on the Indian team.Vaughan argued that punditry should not be restricted to former players of a particular team. He pointed out that many foreign pundits have valuable insights and perspectives to offer."I don't quite agree with Gautam," Vaughan said. "But I do like a bit of spice and I like the fact that he is going to be very prickly."Vaughan also predicted that Gambhir's prickly nature could lead to challenges for the Indian team as they face setbacks in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.As the series progresses, more verbal battles are expected between Gambhir and retired cricketers working as pundits. The clash highlights the growing tension between coaches and pundits, with coaches seeking to protect their teams from external criticism.

Former Australian cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden have come to the defense of their teammate Ricky Ponting after India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticized Ponting's comments on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Gilchrist and Hayden emphasized the importance of open discussions and the role of commentary in cricket, countering Gambhir's assertion that Ponting should focus solely on Australian cricket."Punter can comment on anything he wants. I think he has earned the right to comment on most aspects of cricket. I love this, this is going to get the popcorn out for the rest of the summer," said Gilchrist on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.Hayden echoed Gilchrist's sentiments, stating that commentators are paid to provide their opinions and insights on the game. "We are paid to make an opinion, make a comment and make a call about the game we know and love," he said.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern, with the Indian batter struggling to score runs consistently. In 2024, he has managed just 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging 20.33. His performances in home Tests have been particularly disappointing, with only one half-century in five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Rohit Sharma has also faced criticism for his inability to deliver under pressure in critical games. In the three-Test series against New Zealand, which India lost 0-3, Sharma scored 91 runs, slightly outpacing Kohli's 93 runs.India's upcoming five-Test series against Australia, beginning on November 22, is crucial for their qualification hopes for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India is currently ranked second in the WTC points table, and strong performances in this series are essential to maintain their position.

The ongoing feud between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has taken a new turn, with ex-cricketer Brad Haddin revealing the backstory behind the war of words.The conflict began when Gambhir responded to Ponting's comments on Virat Kohli's form, urging him to focus on Australian cricket. Ponting retorted by calling Gambhir a "prickly character."Haddin, who played under Ponting at Delhi Capitals in 2018, hinted at a deeper reason for the animosity. "Gambhir is a character that would use this as an us versus them mentality," he said. "His reaction was prickly, and you don't need your coach to get caught up in that sort of scenario unless his tactic is to build an us versus them."Haddin teased a forthcoming revelation about the backstory between Gambhir and Ponting. "I know what the backstory is. I'll tell you; just wait till later of the week. There was a little elbow, suspensions, and fines," he said.Haddin compared Gambhir's approach to that of Australian rugby coach Wayne Bennett, who often takes the spotlight to deflect pressure from his team. "It's out of the Wayne Bennett style of coaching," he said. "We're not talking about Rohit Sharma or Kohli now. We're talking about Gambhir and Ricky. He has bitten back, taken the pressure away from his team."While acknowledging Gambhir's "prickly" nature, Haddin questioned whether he was intentionally creating a distraction for his team, which is under pressure after losing the series to New Zealand. "Is he doing this now to take it away from his teammates?" he asked. "If it's an emotional reaction, then there's a problem. But if he's doing it to deflect things away and take it [attention] away from his team, that's a different thing."

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has reignited his feud with India head coach Gautam Gambhir, taking a fresh dig at Gambhir's comments on Ponting's assessment of Virat Kohli's recent form.Ponting had expressed concern over Kohli's batting struggles ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, prompting Gambhir to advise Ponting to focus on Australian cricket. Ponting responded by calling Gambhir a "prickly character," and now he has suggested that Gambhir's reaction was influenced by India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand.Speaking on the podcast show "The Run Home with Joel & Fletch," Ponting clarified his remarks about Kohli but couldn't resist taking another jab at Gambhir."I'm not sure if I mentioned a couple of them, but I reckon he's just throwing me in the deep end, trying to find their two most experienced and make sure when they come out, they put that back on me," Ponting said.Ponting maintained that his comments were not presented in their entirety and believes Gambhir misinterpreted them, reacting after the loss against New Zealand."I was asked the other night if I was concerned about Virat Kohli's form. A day before, I had read his stats from the last five years, so it was clear in my mind. I think he made only two (three) centuries in the last five years. His average in India is now down to 30 from 90, during this period. So yes, I would be concerned. And I said if you ask him about his form, he would be concerned because it is nowhere near what it used to be. But then I said since he loves playing in Australia and has a great record here, so if there ever was a tour where he could turn things around, it would be this.""But they never talked about the second part. Then Gambhir went and faced the press having just lost against New Zealand. The hair on the back of his neck is already standing up. We got a bit of history as well, but he took a chance to fire back at me," he added.Ponting's comments have further escalated the ongoing feud between the two former cricketers, adding another layer to the rivalry between Australia and India.

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and his former teammate Justin Langer may miss the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The match is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Ponting and Langer are currently coaches for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. Their coaching commitments may necessitate their presence at the IPL auction, which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.According to a report by The Age, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori might also leave the Australian team early to attend the IPL auction. Vettori serves as the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise.Vettori's potential departure presents a challenge for Australia, as his presence as assistant coach is considered crucial during the Test series against India.Channel Seven secured a seven-year, AUD 1.5 billion broadcasting deal with Foxtel. However, despite this significant investment, the network may lose two of its prominent commentators, Ponting and Langer, to the IPL auction. The report suggests that Indian cricket authorities hold considerable influence in this matter.Last year, Ricky Ponting also departed from the Perth Test match early to attend the IPL auction, while Justin Langer remained with the Australian team until the match's conclusion.As of Wednesday, no decision had been made regarding whether Vettori would stay with the team through the entire Test or leave early for the auction, The Age reported.This situation presents a dilemma for prominent figures like Ponting, Langer, and Vettori, who must navigate the balance between their international cricket commitments and their franchise obligations.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly defended star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting had expressed concerns about the form of both players, who have struggled with the bat in recent times.Gambhir dismissed Ponting's comments, stating that they have no relevance to Indian cricket. He emphasized the importance of hunger and determination within the team, and praised Kohli and Sharma as "incredibly tough men."Kohli has endured a difficult 2024, with only two international fifties to his name. His struggles against spinners have been particularly evident in the 10 Test innings he played against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite India's 2-0 Test series victory over Bangladesh, Kohli managed only 99 runs at an average of 33.00. In the subsequent three-Test series against New Zealand, he scored just 93 runs at an average of 15.50, with only one score of 70.Rohit's poor form has also impacted his captaincy. In the four innings of the two Test matches against Bangladesh, he scored just 43 runs at an average of 10.50. Against New Zealand, he managed only 91 runs at an average of 15.16, with his highest score being 52.India's upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be crucial for both Kohli and Rohit. Kohli will be eager to rediscover his form in red-ball cricket, while Rohit will be looking to improve his captaincy and lead India to victory.India need to win four Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the World Test Championships final, which will be held at Lord's in June 2025.

Jasprit Bumrah's leadership potential has been endorsed by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who believes the Indian pacer has the qualities to effectively lead the team in Rohit Sharma's absence.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth uncertain due to personal reasons, Bumrah emerges as a strong candidate to captain India. Ponting, who has witnessed Bumrah's leadership skills firsthand during the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston, acknowledges the challenges of captaincy, especially for a bowler.However, Ponting draws parallels to Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, who has successfully balanced his bowling responsibilities with leadership duties. He emphasizes that experienced players like Bumrah understand when to bowl and when to rest, and often thrive under pressure and responsibility."Guys like that tend to thrive on the extra pressure and the responsibility," Ponting said. "He's always been the leader of the attack for a long time anyway. Whether that's red ball, T20, or ODIs, he's the main man."Ponting also highlights the presence of senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant in the Indian team, who can provide valuable guidance to Bumrah."In that Indian team, there's a lot of experience around him," Ponting said. "And it's really important, I think, that you use the experience around you even when you are the captain, and just ask the appropriate questions at the right time."Ponting shares his own experience as Australia's Test captain, emphasizing the importance of seeking advice from experienced teammates. He credits Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Justin Langer as valuable sources of guidance during his captaincy."I liked to ask the questions of Gilchrist, Hayden, and Langer," Ponting said. "Ask them where they thought the game was, and what we needed to do. At the end of the day, as a captain, you're the one that's making that final decision, but whatever advice you can get along the way can only be good."With his experience, leadership qualities, and the support of senior players, Jasprit Bumrah is well-positioned to lead the Indian cricket team in Rohit Sharma's absence.