Cricket

India's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. For the first time in 12 years, the Indian team has lost a Test series at home, succumbing to the Kiwis in the first two matches of the three-match series.Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has been critical of skipper Rohit Sharma's captaincy in the Pune Test, which India lost by seven wickets. Karthik believes that Sharma was not proactive enough as a captain and failed to match New Zealand's intensity and clarity."Not at his best. I thought he had a very tough Test match, he did all he could. I could see there was a lot of pressure on him, add to the fact, that he did not get many runs as well. So overall, it was not a great Test match. He will reflect and think, 'what could I have done better? Was I a reactive captain or a pro-active captain?'" Karthik said on Cricbuzz.Sharma's struggles with the bat have also been a concern. He has been among India's worst performers with the bat in the first two matches."There is a fine line, this Test match was one where he was chasing the ball a little bit. He tried his best with whatever he could, but you have to say it wasn't the best game for either him or Team India," Karthik added.After the two losses, Sharma took a rather lighthearted stance in the press conference, saying that the team is allowed such a performance after being on top for the last 12 years."We are allowed one such performance in 12 years. If we were collapsing like this on a regular basis then we would not have been winning at home. We have a lot of expectations. We are expected to win every game at our home, and it is because of our performances," he said.However, Karthik believes that Sharma needs to be more proactive as a captain and take more responsibility for the team's performance."He needs to be more proactive. He needs to be more clear in his communication. He needs to be more clear in his plans. He needs to be more clear in his execution. He needs to be more clear in his decision-making," Karthik said.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma will be deeply affected by India's Test series loss to New Zealand. This marks the first time India has lost a home Test series since 2012, with Rohit at the helm.Despite Rohit's post-match comments downplaying the defeat, Shastri believes that the Indian captain will be hurting. "Rohit Sharma is a proud man. He will not take it lightly. Let me assure you of that," Shastri said during commentary.Shastri emphasized that every player in the Indian dressing room will be eager to rectify the situation. "His body language might suggest that he's very relaxed. But deep down, he'll be hurting and hurting big. Not just with him but with every Indian player in that dressing room," Shastri added.Rohit's captaincy has been under scrutiny throughout the New Zealand series, particularly his decision to bat first after a day's washout in the first Test. His batting form has also been questioned, with the Indian captain managing only 62 runs in four innings.Despite the series defeat, which ended India's record-breaking run of 18 consecutive home Test series wins, Rohit downplayed its significance in the post-match press conference. "Just because we have lost a series, I don't think there is anything that we need to talk differently or do differently. But yeah, we need to find ways to come out of those situations," Rohit said."You don't need to overreact. But you need to have a quiet chat with certain individuals and let them know where they are at and what, as a team, we require from them," Rohit added.India will face New Zealand in the final Test of the series starting on Friday, November 1.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed uncertainty over Rohit Sharma's retention by Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, he believes that Rohit's recent T20 World Cup triumph could sway the franchise's decision.Harbhajan, who has won three IPL titles under Rohit's captaincy, believes that the Mumbai Indians will prioritize retaining their core group. He predicts that Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma will be retained alongside Rohit."Mumbai Indians haven't played well in the last two to three years," Harbhajan said. "But they're a champion team, and they'll definitely think of building a team for the future. They'll retain experienced players, and I think Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma will be retained."Harbhajan also suggested Nehal Wadhera as a potential uncapped retention for Mumbai Indians. "He's an uncapped player, so he should be picked," he added.In the IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the table under Pandya's captaincy. They won just four games out of 14 league stage fixtures.Harbhajan's comments highlight the challenges facing Mumbai Indians as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise will need to make strategic decisions about which players to retain and which to release in order to rebuild a competitive team.

India's five-Test home season, once billed as a golden opportunity to secure a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, has taken a dramatic turn. With just a week remaining in the home leg, India's WTC final hopes are hanging by a thread after consecutive defeats to New Zealand.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, now faces a daunting task of salvaging the home season with a resounding victory at the Wankhede Stadium during the festive week. Failure to do so could result in a prolonged and challenging tour of Australia.Rohit, who will be leading India for the first time in a Test series Down Under, is aware of the magnitude of the task ahead. He has emphasized the importance of providing support and guidance to the relatively inexperienced group of players, many of whom will be making their Test debuts in Australia."It is crucial that we provide the support and guidance that we ourselves craved when we were in their shoes," Rohit said after India's loss in the second Test against New Zealand. "That is what I intend to do with the many players who have not yet toured Australia or will be playing their first or second Test there."Rohit stressed the need to maintain a positive and supportive environment within the team, regardless of the recent setbacks. "We cannot afford to overreact to what has happened," he said. "We need to have quiet chats with certain individuals and let them know where they stand and what the team expects from them."The Indian management is determined to avoid dwelling on the broken 12-year unbeaten streak at home. "I am not going to overreact to what has happened here," Rohit said. "We need to have a quiet chat with certain individuals and let them know where they are and what, as a team, we require from them."As India prepares for the upcoming challenges, Rohit and the management will need to find a way to restore confidence and belief within the team. The Wankhede Stadium, known for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate crowd, could provide the perfect setting for a turnaround.

India's batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have endured a disappointing run in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. Their struggles have raised concerns among fans ahead of the crucial tour of Australia.Kohli, who has been grappling with form in Test cricket for the past few years, has managed only 88 runs in four innings, with a solitary half-century. Rohit, the team's opening batsman, has fared slightly better with 62 runs, including a knock of 52.The duo's inconsistent form has contributed to India's consecutive defeats, handing New Zealand a historic 2-0 series lead. Their absence from the season-opening domestic red-ball tournament, the Duleep Trophy, has also drawn criticism.Former India spinner and selector Sunil Joshi has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for top players. He believes that playing in domestic tournaments helps batters improve their skills against spin bowling, a crucial aspect in Indian conditions."When will we see our top-order batters go back to play domestic cricket?" Joshi questioned. "If you don't play domestic cricket, you won't be able to play spinners."A comparison statistic on social media has highlighted the contrast between Kohli and Rohit's recent domestic appearances and that of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2013, the same year he retired from international cricket. Kohli's last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2012, while Rohit's was in the 2015-16 season.Fans have questioned why Kohli and Rohit cannot follow Tendulkar's example and participate in domestic cricket to prepare for international assignments. They argue that playing in domestic tournaments would help them regain form and improve their skills against spin bowling.As India gears up for the challenging tour of Australia, the performance of Kohli and Rohit will be crucial. Their ability to rediscover their form and contribute significantly to the team's success will be a key factor in determining India's chances of success Down Under.

Steve Smith Hails Rohit Sharma as Opener in His World Test XI, Praises Aggressive StyleAustralian batting maestro Steve Smith has heaped praise on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, selecting him as the opener in his World Test XI. Smith lauded Sharma's aggressive approach and ability to dominate bowlers, making him a formidable force in the longest format of the game."He is so dangerous, takes the game on with the new ball," Smith said in an interview with Fox Cricket. "He plays his shots but also has solid defense when the situation demands it. He puts the bowler under a lot of pressure."Smith's comments come amidst India's recent Test series defeat at home against New Zealand. However, Sharma is set to lead India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting on November 22 in Perth.The 18-member squad announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) includes several fresh faces but also has key omissions due to injury concerns. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav will miss the tour due to knee and groin issues, respectively.Despite the setbacks, Smith believes Sharma has the leadership and batting skills to prove his faith and maintain India's dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy."He's a world-class player, there's no doubt about that," Smith added. "He's been in great form for a long time now, and I'm sure he'll be looking to continue that in Australia."Sharma's aggressive style and ability to adapt to different conditions make him a nightmare for bowlers. He has a wide range of shots and can score runs at a rapid pace, putting pressure on the opposition from the outset.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Sharma will be eager to lead India to victory and prove his status as one of the world's best batsmen.

India's qualification for the World Test Championship final in June 2023 is uncertain, and even if they qualify, it would be surprising if skipper Rohit Sharma remains available for the next two-year WTC cycle. The same applies to Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be 41 by then. Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli, two exceptionally fit players, will be 39.The recent Test series defeat at home against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of some senior players. Former India coach Ravi Shastri expressed concern, stating that New Zealand's dominance in both Tests is a cause for reflection. He emphasized that it's early days for head coach Gautam Gambhir, but he will need to learn quickly.India faces a challenging transition as four world-class match-winners are expected to retire in the next few years. While there are options in batting, finding quality bowlers may be a struggle. Mohammed Shami, despite his return, is nearing the end of his illustrious career, and Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, while decent bowlers, lack the impact of Shami when paired with Bumrah.The next generation of bowlers is also a concern. Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed are quick, but consistency and fitness have been issues. Navdeep Saini's pace has declined, and Umran Malik has lost his way. Mukesh Kumar, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Vidwath Kaverappa lack the pace to unsettle batters.Bumrah and Shami are exceptional talents, and unless someone like Mayank Yadav becomes consistently available, India's bowling cupboard is bare. Seam bowling all-rounders are also a concern unless Hardik Pandya, now 30, changes his mind. Nitish Reddy is a work in progress, but his inclusion is due to a lack of alternatives.In batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal has established himself as an opener, and three candidates are vying for the other slot once Rohit retires: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and B Sai Sudharsan. Easwaran has the most prolific record, but concerns remain about his temperament in big games. Gaikwad is a talented white-ball cricketer, but his limited first-class experience may be a concern.Sudharsan, on the other hand, has a solid technique, temperament, and appetite for big runs. He can bat as an opener or at number three. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a half-century on Test debut, is an exciting option for Kohli's slot.Rishabh Pant remains the undisputed keeper-batter, while Sarfaraz Khan has impressed in his first five Tests. Axar Patel is a valuable bowler on under-prepared surfaces but may struggle on surfaces that offer less assistance. Washington Sundar could be the single spin-all-rounder in the post-Ashwin-Jadeja era.

Former Indian batsman Manoj Tiwary has expressed his concerns over the Indian cricket team's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, criticizing captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir for their approach and team selection.Tiwary believes that India's downfall began with Rohit's decision to bat first in the rain-affected series opener in Bengaluru. "India's biggest enemy was the weather in Bengaluru, because they had prepared a turning track. After winning the toss India had the opportunity to field, but I don't know why they opted to bat first, and that is where it all started," Tiwary told Cricbuzz.He also criticized the team selection, particularly the inclusion of Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav and the omission of Akash Deep in the first Test. "You already have a spin-bowling all-rounder in Axar Patel, who picked up wickets in spinning conditions previously. But you ignored him and then benched Kuldeep in the second Test. You did not play Akash Deep in Bengaluru, but included him in the second Test, where you did not give him the ball in the second innings. Then you did not start with Jasprit Bumrah in the attack. All these things will backfired," he added.Tiwary warned that these selection calls could lead to disturbances and even cracks within the team. "What this will lead to is in the coming days there will be a lot of disturbances in the team, there will be cracks in the team," he said.Rohit and Gambhir will be under pressure to turn things around in the third and final Test, starting November 1, before the crucial tour of Australia next month. India will play five Tests Down Under, with the series likely to determine their fate in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

India's Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns, but captain Rohit Sharma remains optimistic. Despite the disappointing defeat, Sharma believes there is no need for panic.India's 12-year home Test series winning streak came to an end with New Zealand's 113-run victory in the second Test. Mitchell Santner's 13-wicket haul played a crucial role in the Kiwis' triumph.Sharma acknowledged the team's recent struggles but emphasized the need to stay calm and focus on improvement. "We've had a great run for 12 years, and we've done great things during this period," he said. "We will think about what we didn't do well and what we can improve, but I don't need to open a medical kit and start doing things differently."India's defeat has impacted their World Test Championship (WTC) standings. They now lead Australia by a mere 0.32 percentage points. However, Sharma believes it's premature to focus on the WTC."It's too early to think of WTC," he said. "I am hurting because we lost the game. I can't think of what lies ahead and whether it affects our chances. I am hurting because we lost the series."Sharma highlighted the team's collective responsibility for the defeat. "If you lose a Test, it is because the collective unit failed," he said. "If you win, everyone deserves credit. If you lose, everyone needs to take the blame."Despite the setback, Sharma remains confident in the team's abilities. "We have won 18 series in a row at home," he said. "We have done a good job. In this series, we didn't bat as well as required. These things happen."Sharma emphasized the importance of trusting the team's plans and processes. "The New Zealand batters showed that," he said. "We used to do that. So, yeah, it happens."