Cricket

Former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe has predicted that the Australian team will target Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series. O'Keeffe believes that Australia will try to unsettle Rohit, who is likely to miss the first Test due to the expected birth of his second child, and Kohli, who has been in a recent slump.O'Keeffe told Fox Sports, "Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma."O'Keeffe also suggested that Kohli is "slightly weaker" due to his recent form and that the Australian team will try to exploit this. "Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him," O'Keeffe said.However, O'Keeffe believes that Kohli's form could be the deciding factor in the outcome of the series. "I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win."Rohit has managed 588 runs in 11 Tests at an average of just 29.40 this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Test at an average of 22.72.India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.

The Indian cricket team has commenced its rigorous training in Australia in preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against the hosts. The five-match series, starting on November 22, holds immense significance as a 4-0 victory would automatically qualify India for the World Test Championship final.However, the absence of captain Rohit Sharma has raised concerns. While there has been no official communication regarding the reason for his absence, coach Rahul Dravid has expressed hope that Sharma will join the team soon.Meanwhile, a photo posted by Rohit Sharma's PR team on Wednesday showed the Indian team training in Mumbai. The image has sparked speculation about Sharma's availability for the first Test.According to a report in the Times of India, Sharma is currently prioritizing his family as his wife is expecting their second child. "He is doing what any father would at this stage, which is to stay with his wife and family," a source was quoted as saying.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Jasprit Bumrah, the designated vice-captain, should lead the team if Sharma misses the first Test. However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has disagreed with Gavaskar's statement, emphasizing the importance of supporting Sharma during this personal time.The Indian team's preparations have been hampered by injuries to key players. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami are all recovering from injuries and their availability for the series remains uncertain.Despite these challenges, India will be determined to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in 2020-21. The team boasts a strong batting lineup led by Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rishabh Pant. The bowling attack, if fit, will be spearheaded by Bumrah, Shami, and Jadeja.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious rivalries in Test cricket. India has won the last three series against Australia, including a 2-1 victory in Australia in 2018-19.

Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced intense scrutiny following their underwhelming performances in the Test series against New Zealand. The duo's struggles with the bat contributed to India's humiliating 0-3 defeat at home.Despite the criticism, former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma has defended the two batters, highlighting their significant contributions to Indian cricket. Sharma expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back and perform well against Australia."Let's honor and respect what Rohit and Virat have done for the country," Sharma said. "They are never out of form. They are still doing it. Just wait and watch what Rohit and Virat do in Australia. They will dazzle with their bats."India head coach Gautam Gambhir also came to the defense of Kohli and Sharma, criticizing former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for questioning Kohli's place in the Test team. Gambhir emphasized the duo's passion for the game and their desire to achieve more."What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" Gambhir asked. "Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years."Kohli and Sharma's poor form in the New Zealand series has raised concerns about their future in the Test team. However, Sharma and Gambhir's support suggests that the duo still has the backing of the selectors and the coaching staff.It remains to be seen whether Kohli and Sharma can regain their form and lead India to success in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Their performances will be closely scrutinized as they look to prove their worth and silence their critics.

Rohit Sharma's Test Participation Uncertain, Trains Rigorously in MumbaiIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia remains uncertain. However, the 37-year-old is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations, training diligently in Mumbai while awaiting the birth of his second child.Sharma has been utilizing both Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) facilities and Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) for his training sessions. Sources indicate that he is keen on maximizing his time in India to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges Down Under.As for his travel to Australia, Sharma will make a decision after the birth of his child. "There is no clarity yet on his departure. It all depends on how things unfold on the personal front," said a source. "He is doing what any father would at this stage, which is to stay with his wife and family. But at the same time, he is ensuring to be well-tuned for the Test series and will be batting at every possible opportunity in Mumbai."The Indian team has already departed for Perth in two batches, with the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul among those who have arrived in Australia. Coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will lead the team in Rohit's absence, while Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul are the contenders for the opening slot.The high-profile series gets underway in Perth on November 22 and culminates with the Sydney Test on January 3. The second Test in Adelaide will be a Day-Night fixture, and the visitors will play a two-day game in Canberra before that match.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated five-Test series between India and Australia, is set to commence on November 22. This edition marks several significant milestones and potential farewells for legendary players.Australia has historically been a challenging destination for visiting teams, but India has performed admirably in their recent tours. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, who was part of the 2014-15 BGT squad, emphasizes the importance of character and aggression for success in Australia.Raina highlights the crucial role of Virat Kohli, who has been instrumental in India's past victories. Despite his recent struggles, Raina believes Kohli's experience and determination will be vital. However, he acknowledges that Kohli may face challenges against spinners on turning tracks at home.Rohit Sharma's absence due to personal reasons presents an opportunity for Jasprit Bumrah to lead the team. Raina praises Bumrah's leadership qualities and believes he has the potential to become a future leader in Test cricket.The embarrassing series whitewash against New Zealand has raised questions about coach Gautam Gambhir's performance. Raina defends Gambhir, citing his impressive record as a player and coach.With Rohit likely to miss the first Test, India faces a dilemma in finding an opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Raina suggests KL Rahul or Dhruv Jurel as potential options. He particularly praises Jurel's patience and defensive technique, which could prove valuable in Australia.Raina also expresses confidence in India's pace attack, despite its relative lack of experience. He highlights the potential of Prasidh Krishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, who he believes can be effective with their line and length in Australia.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) remains uncertain, but Australia is determined to target him relentlessly whenever he takes the field. Former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe believes that Australia's pace attack, led by Michael Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, will put Rohit under immense pressure.Rohit's recent Test form has been underwhelming, with just 133 runs in 10 innings leading up to the BGT. Despite India's 2-0 sweep against Bangladesh, Rohit acknowledged his subpar performance as captain during the embarrassing 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand.O'Keeffe emphasized Australia's historical strategy of targeting visiting captains, stating, "Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma."Along with Rohit, Virat Kohli, India's other star batsman, has also been under scrutiny due to his extended lean patch. In six Tests in 2024, Kohli has scored only 250 runs in 12 innings, including a solitary half-century.O'Keeffe believes that Australia should remain cautious of Kohli, who has been a formidable opponent for the Aussies in the past. He said, "Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him. I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer.""If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win," O'Keeffe added.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 in Perth, and the outcome of the series could hinge on the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence in the form of star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite their recent struggles against spin bowling. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the team's departure for the Test series against Australia, Gambhir dismissed concerns over the duo's form, emphasizing their hunger to perform."I have no concerns over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form. The hunger in that dressing room is important for me, and I feel there is a lot of hunger," Gambhir said.Gambhir's defense of Sharma and Kohli comes after the team's humiliating Test series loss against New Zealand at home. Both batters struggled to score runs, leading to criticism from experts and fans alike. However, Gambhir believes that the duo will bounce back in Australia."There are incredible people in the dressing room who have done a great job," Gambhir said. "I am not feeling the heat. It's an honor and privilege to coach the Indian team."Gambhir also addressed the team's options for the opener's slot, with KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran being considered alongside Sharma. He also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in the series-opening Perth Test if Sharma is unavailable for personal reasons.The first Test between India and Australia starts in Perth on November 22. Gambhir expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well, despite the challenges they face."I am not thinking about transition but the five Test matches. Transition or no transition, if that has to happen, will happen, but I see some incredibly tough characters in that dressing room who are hungry to do well," Gambhir said.

India's Test Squad Begins Training in Perth, Practice Sessions Shielded from Public ViewWith the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) fast approaching, the Indian Test squad has assembled in Perth and commenced training at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Stadium. However, the team's practice sessions have been shrouded in secrecy, with the grill bordering the practice area covered to prevent public scrutiny.The Indian contingent arrived in Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday and will undergo a 10-day acclimatization and training period before the BGT opener. However, uncertainty looms over the availability of captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test due to personal reasons.A Forbes cricket journalist shared an image of the practice nets at the WACA, revealing that they were covered with a black sheet to block public view. Notably, the Indian team is not training at the venue of the first Test, Optus Stadium, which is just a short drive away.India opted to cancel their practice game against India 'A', who are also touring Australia. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his team believed that extended net sessions would be more beneficial than a practice match.India, who recently slipped to number two in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, are eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing 0-3 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand. To qualify for the WTC final for the third consecutive time, India must win four of the five Tests in the BGT.The Indian team's decision to shield their practice sessions from public view has sparked speculation about their strategies and preparations. However, it is clear that the team is determined to put in the hard work and regain their dominance in Test cricket.

Team India is poised to embark on a historic mission to Australia, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph on foreign soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian squad is determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure a berth in the World Test Championship final.Despite a disappointing 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, former India pacer and chief selector Chetan Sharma exudes confidence in the team's ability to excel in Australia. "I am 100 percent sure India will beat Australia in Australia," Sharma declared. "We have always enjoyed when India tour Australia, South Africa, or England. The best part is that we now enter as series-winning contenders whenever we tour overseas."Sharma believes the pressure will be on Australia, not India, as the hosts have been defeated twice in their own backyard by the visiting team. "They must be worried, not us," he said. "Pressure is on Australia, not India. The pressure is on Pat Cummins, not Rohit Sharma."While star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been struggling for form, Sharma remains optimistic about their contributions. "Players like Rohit and Virat are never out of form," he said. "They are never in a lean or bad patch. These words shouldn't be used for them. We are thankful to them. They are still doing it."Sharma also praised young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who have been thriving under the guidance of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit. "Shubman and Yashasvi have impressed me a lot," he said. "They have learned a lot from Virat and Rohit while sharing the field and dressing room with them."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will commence with the opening Test in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The series will then move to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test will be held in Sydney, starting on January 3.