Cricket

India's dominance at home, built on the performances of Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma, has come to an abrupt end with New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory. This defeat has raised concerns about the future of these aging heroes, who have been instrumental in India's success over the years.Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, and Jadeja have been the backbone of India's Test team, leading them to two World Test Championship finals and a 12-year winning streak in home Test series. However, their recent performances have raised questions about their ability to continue at the highest level.In the recent series against New Zealand, Kohli struggled to score runs, accumulating just 93 runs at an average of 15.50. Rohit's performance was also disappointing, with 91 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 15.17. Ashwin's bowling was inconsistent, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to score freely. Jadeja, while still a crucial part of the team, has seen his economy rate rise in recent matches.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test for these senior players. If they fail to perform, it could signal the end of an era for Indian cricket.

India's Home Season Ends in Disappointment as Kohli and Rohit FalterIndia's once-unbeatable home record in Test cricket has been shattered, with the team suffering a disappointing defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The loss marks the end of a dismal home season for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have failed to live up to expectations.In the third Test, India's second innings collapsed cheaply, with Kohli and Sharma both falling for low scores. This followed a similar pattern in the first two Tests, where the Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the New Zealand spinners on dustbowls.Kohli, who turns 36 next week, has not scored a Test century since July 2023. His average of 21.33 in the home season is a far cry from his usual high standards. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also endured a poor run of form, averaging just 13.30 with a highest score of 52.The diminishing returns of Kohli and Sharma are a major concern for India ahead of their upcoming five-Test series in Australia. The next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether the two stalwarts can extend their Test careers.The Indian team's home season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, India suffered a humiliating defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The third Test ended with a whimper, leaving the team with a lot to ponder before their next assignment.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has faced criticism for his recent batting performances in Test matches. Despite leading India to victory in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, Rohit's Test form has been a cause for concern.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit failed to score a century and reached double figures only once. His dismissals have often been through clean bowling, a sign of vulnerability to early swing and seam movement.As India's captain and a senior batsman, Rohit faces pressure to perform and lead by example. However, this pressure can make it challenging to play with a free-flowing style, especially in high-stakes tournaments.Rohit's poor form has raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics have called for a change in leadership, while others believe that Rohit deserves more time to prove himself.With India's upcoming tour of Australia approaching, Rohit has one more chance to prove his worth as a Test batsman. A victory in the third Test against New Zealand would save India from a clean sweep at home and provide some respite for Rohit.However, the knives will be out Down Under, where India will face a formidable Australian team. Rohit's batting form will be crucial to India's chances of success in Australia.

The Indian cricket team's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns about the aging of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Former Australian cricketers Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor have expressed their views on the matter, highlighting the need for India to address its batting problems.Chappell pointed out that Kohli and Sharma are both in their late 30s and may be starting to feel the effects of age. He noted that both players have not been performing to their usual standards in recent times, which has put pressure on the younger players in the team.Taylor echoed Chappell's sentiments, stating that India's decision to move on from experienced batsmen like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane has left a void in the team. He emphasized that Kohli and Sharma, as the team's best players, need to step up and make significant contributions.The former Australian captain also highlighted the importance of senior players making "bulkier runs," which has been lacking in India's batting lineup over the past year or so. He pointed to the contributions of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, but stressed that the team needs its top batsmen to perform consistently.Chappell and Taylor's comments come at a time when India is facing a transitional phase in its Test team. The team has lost its last three Test series, including a humiliating defeat to New Zealand at home. The selectors have been experimenting with different combinations, but have yet to find a settled lineup.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a major test for India's aging stars. If Kohli and Sharma fail to deliver, it could further intensify the debate about their future in the Test team.

India, seeking to salvage some pride after losing the first two Tests of the series, made a solitary change to their playing XI for the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.With the World Test Championship (WTC) points and a place in the final on the line, India opted to field first after losing the toss to the visiting Black Caps. The only change for the hosts was the inclusion of seamer Mohammed Siraj in place of Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out due to a viral illness.India captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the team's poor performance in the first two Tests, stating, "We accept that we didn't play well this series. But this is an opportunity to correct that. Hopefully we can restrict them quickly."Meanwhile, New Zealand made two changes to their lineup, with Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee missing out due to injury. Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi replaced them in the playing XI.New Zealand skipper Tom Latham explained their decision to bat first, saying, "Reasonably good surface. Want to put runs on the board and put pressure later on. Focusing on this game. That's what we did in Pune after Bengaluru win too. But last week was last week. New opportunity this game."New Zealand ended India's 12-year unbeaten run in home Test series, which had stretched back to 2012. India had won 18 consecutive Test series at home before the defeats in October.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction by retaining their core group of Indian players. The franchise has decided to retain Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.With these five capped players retained, MI will have limited options at the auction. They can only use their one right-to-match option on an uncapped player. The individual amounts for each retained player are yet to be disclosed, but MI is expected to lose at least INR 75 crore from their purse of INR 120 crore.MI had a disappointing IPL 2024 season, finishing at the bottom of the league under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. However, Hardik bounced back from poor personal form with significant contributions during India's successful 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. Despite his strong performance, Suryakumar Yadav was preferred as India's T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format.The MI management recently held discussions with their senior players to finalize the retention plan. The deadline for franchises to submit their lists of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players.The IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each player retained, but franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts. MI is expected to pay a significant amount to retain their star players, which will impact their spending at the auction.

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has refuted claims that the team requests tailor-made pitches for Test matches. He also expressed support for out-of-form legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the need for patience and backing.After suffering their first-ever Test series loss at home in 12 years, India will face New Zealand in the third and final Test from Friday. The Pune Test, played on a spinner-friendly track, resulted in India's 113-run defeat. Speculations have arisen that the Wankhede Stadium pitch in Mumbai could also favor spinners.However, Nayar denied these allegations, stating that the team does not have any influence over pitch preparation. "We don't curate pitches. The curators do. Whatever we're provided with, we go on and play," he said. "As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we're provided with."Regarding Kohli and Sharma's poor form, Nayar expressed confidence in their abilities. "I've seen nothing but love for them all over. When a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them their space and trusting that they will come back," he said. "They will put in the work."Nayar emphasized the importance of patience, especially with experienced players. "Everyone's worked really hard, everyone wants to do well. The effort is there. The approach is great. I feel they're putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, you've got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players," he said.India will be eager to salvage their pride in the final Test. The team's performance has been under scrutiny, and they will be determined to end the series on a positive note.

Suryakumar Yadav Eyes Milestone as India Gear Up for South Africa T20I SeriesIndia's swashbuckling batter Suryakumar Yadav is poised to etch his name in the record books as he prepares to lead the team in a four-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa. Yadav, who has been in scintillating form, is on the cusp of surpassing Rohit Sharma as the highest-scoring Indian batter against the Proteas in T20Is.Currently ranked third among Indian batters with 346 runs in seven T20Is against South Africa, Yadav needs just 84 more runs to eclipse Sharma's tally of 429 runs. The Mumbai Indians star has been a consistent performer against the Proteas, averaging an impressive 57.66.Sharma, who led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, has amassed 429 runs in 18 T20I matches against South Africa, averaging 26.81. Virat Kohli, India's run machine, is second on the list with 394 runs in 14 matches, averaging 39.40.The upcoming series will provide Yadav with an ideal opportunity to cement his status as one of India's most prolific T20I batters. The first T20I will be played on November 8 at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by the second on November 10 in Gqeberha, the third on November 13 in Centurion, and the fourth and final T20I on November 15 in Johannesburg.

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.