Cricket

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.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. Sharma and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on Friday night, and the Indian captain has decided to stay back in Mumbai to spend time with his family.Sharma's absence from the first Test will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket, including 30 centuries, and is considered one of the best openers in the game.In Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test. Bumrah is one of the world's leading fast bowlers, and he will be looking to make a statement as captain. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature due to a fractured thumb.The Indian team left for Perth in two batches on November 10 and 11, with Sharma staying back in Mumbai for the birth of his child. The team has been preparing for the Test series in Perth, and they will be hoping to start the series with a win.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 17 in Perth. The series is expected to be closely contested, and Sharma's absence from the first Test will give Australia a slight advantage. However, the Indian team will be confident of winning the series, and they will be looking to make a strong start in Perth.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on Friday night at a local hospital in New Delhi. The couple already has a daughter, Samaira, born in 2018.Rohit is currently not in Australia with the Indian cricket team, as he was awaiting the birth of his second child. His absence has left a void in the team's batting lineup, which has struggled in recent matches.Whether Rohit will join the team for the first Test against Australia on November 22nd in Perth remains unclear. The short timeframe leaves limited opportunity for practice before the match. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had previously expressed hope for Sharma's availability, despite uncertainty surrounding his participation.India's top order batting has appeared vulnerable, highlighting the team's need for Rohit's leadership and experience. While Rohit himself has not been in peak form, his presence is still considered crucial, especially given recent concerns over other players.If Rohit does not join the team in time for the first Test, it will be a significant blow to India's chances of winning the series. The team will be hoping that he can recover quickly and join them in Australia as soon as possible.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma faces a crucial decision as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) approaches in Australia. With the birth of his second child imminent, Rohit has remained in India and is likely to miss the opening Test in Perth.Rohit's recent red-ball form has been underwhelming, with a string of low scores in his last 10 innings against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit to exercise caution against Australia's formidable pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood."At the start, he can be troubled by Mitchell Starc's lengths and lines," Gavaskar said. "He needs to get the shot-selection right. That's not just for Rohit Sharma, but for any batter."Gavaskar emphasized the importance of restraint on Australian pitches, despite their reputation for being batter-friendly. "Australian pitches are good for batters, and they use the Kookaburra ball. It doesn't swing or seam much after the first 15 overs...If you show some restraint in the first session, then you can score runs," he said.Regarding Rohit's availability for the series opener, head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that there is no clarity yet. Rohit continues to train in Mumbai, and his participation in the Perth Test will be determined closer to the match.If Rohit misses the opening Test, India will have to rely on vice-captain KL Rahul or Shubman Gill to lead the batting charge. Rahul has been in impressive form in recent Tests, while Gill has shown promise in his limited opportunities.The BGT is a prestigious series between India and Australia, and Rohit's absence would be a significant blow to the Indian team. However, with a talented squad at his disposal, head coach Rahul Dravid will be confident of defending India's title.

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian has predicted a resounding victory for the hosts in the upcoming first Test against India, scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. Julian's bold prediction stems from India's recent struggles, particularly their humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month.Julian believes that India's captaincy woes, with Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test due to personal reasons, could further hinder their chances. He suggests that Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to lead the team in Sharma's absence, may face additional pressure that could impact his bowling performance."The Aussies will clean up India in 4 days," Julian asserted. "There are worrying signs for India, straight at the top. Rohit Sharma is not playing the first Test; he has come out and said that. So Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side. Now that's a lot of pressure when you're the opening bowler. He is a wonderful bowler; no doubt about that. But all of a sudden when you're opening the bowling and captaining the side, that's a whole different ball game."Julian also expressed concerns about Virat Kohli's form, suggesting that the star batter is not in sync with Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. "The way that Virat Kohli got out against New Zealand - for him to get out like that in that Test series was unbelievable. Kohli is not at his best. He is not gelling with the captain probably and the coach but having said that, he can quickly turn it around. But if they start pulling in Perth, I reckon it'll be all over," he added.Kohli's presence in Australia has always generated significant buzz, but this series holds immense importance for him. It is viewed as a make-or-break phase in his illustrious career, with the former Indian captain under pressure to regain his form and secure his spot in the Test team amid a potential transition phase.Kohli's current form is a cause for concern. In 19 international matches this year, the 80-time centurion has managed to score only 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with just two half-centuries in 25 innings and a highest score of 76. His struggles in Test cricket have been particularly troubling, given his past dominance in the format.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has urged Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reset their approach and focus on technical refinement ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia.Lee emphasized the importance of introspection and a return to basics for the two batters, who have struggled for form in recent Tests. "When you have a couple of bad runs back to back, that's when the pressure gets set in," Lee said. "They've just got to go back to the drawing board."Lee believes that Rohit and Kohli's tendency to be overly aggressive may have contributed to their poor performances. "I can't say there's a technical fault there because I've seen him play for the last decade," Lee said of Rohit. "But maybe he's a little bit too aggressive."Lee also warned that the Australian pacers would be targeting Rohit and Kohli with the new ball. "I can promise you the Australian fast bowlers will be attacking Rohit Sharma with that brand-new ball," he said.Lee advised the Indian batters to work on their technique, freshen up mentally, and hit the ground running in Australia. "They are champions because they do the basics better than anybody else," Lee said. "Then, just hit the reset button, almost."Rohit has managed only 588 runs in 11 Tests this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Tests. Both batters will be under immense scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins in Perth on December 17.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is undergoing rigorous training in Mumbai to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite uncertainty surrounding his participation due to family reasons, Rohit is determined to stay match-fit.Sources close to the team reveal that Rohit is training at both the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) facilities and Reliance Corporate Park (RCP). His training regimen includes treadmill sprints, weight training, and outdoor runs. The focus is on honing his skills and conditioning for the challenging series against Australia.Rohit's decision on his travel plans will be made after attending to family matters. Meanwhile, other members of the Indian team have already arrived in Perth. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj traveled in two batches, while former captain Virat Kohli arrived with his family. Jasprit Bumrah joined the team later on Monday.As captain, Rohit faces added pressure following India's recent struggles in Test matches. His own form has also been under scrutiny. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which kicks off on November 22 in Perth, will be a crucial test for Rohit and the Indian team. The series features a day-night Test in Adelaide and concludes in Sydney in early January.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his delight at the performances of young Indian batters in the T20I format following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kaif believes that the seamless transition under new captain Suryakumar Yadav is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket.After India's T20 World Cup triumph in June, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from the format. However, the likes of Abhishek Varma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have stepped up to fill the void, showcasing their potential on the international stage.In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Tilak Varma smashed his maiden T20I century in the third match, while Abhishek Sharma blasted a 25-ball half-century in the second match. Earlier in the series, Samson hammered his second consecutive T20I century, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve this feat.Kaif praised the young batters for their impressive performances in challenging batting conditions in South Africa. He tweeted, "Watching Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat and Rohit. When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands."India's T20I transition has been remarkably smooth since Rohit and Kohli's retirements. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team has maintained its dominance, defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 3-0 each before heading to South Africa.In the ongoing series against South Africa, India holds a 2-1 lead heading into the final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday. The team's impressive performances have raised hopes of a successful title defense at the 2026 T20 World Cup.