Cricket

Team India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia are in full swing, with the team set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting on October 16. The series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial test for India, as they aim to resolve the middle-order puzzle and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Australia.One of the key questions surrounding India's middle order is the selection between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. Rahul, a seasoned campaigner with 52 Tests under his belt, has been preferred over Khan in recent matches. However, Khan's impressive debut series against England, where he scored three fifties, has raised questions about Rahul's place in the team.Rahul's experience and familiarity with Australian conditions could give him an edge over Khan. Rahul has played in two previous Border-Gavaskar series, scoring a century in Sydney in 2014-15. However, his performance in the 2018-19 tour was less impressive, averaging only 11.40 in three Tests.On the other hand, Khan's recent form has been exceptional. In the series against England, he scored 153 runs in three innings, including a century in the second Test. His ability to play spin effectively could be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming series against Australia.The opening Test against New Zealand will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which has been a happy hunting ground for Rahul. In two previous Tests at the venue, he has scored 195 runs at an average of 65.00. A strong performance against New Zealand could bolster Rahul's case for a place in the middle order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ultimately, the decision between Rahul and Khan will depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the conditions in Australia. With the series against New Zealand providing a crucial opportunity to test both players, India will be hoping for a clear indication of who will be their preferred choice for the middle order in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Sarfaraz Khan's impressive Test debut against England earlier this year has not yet translated into a permanent spot in the Indian Test XI. Despite his double century for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, KL Rahul's crucial runs in the two Tests against Bangladesh have kept Sarfaraz on the sidelines.Former India cricketer and ex-selector Jatin Paranjape believes that Sarfaraz should remain patient and continue to perform. "There is nothing unfair about Sarfaraz's situation. He was playing because someone else was injured. The competition for batting spots is so intense that, unfortunately, someone will always miss out," Paranjape said.Paranjape also suggested that Sarfaraz could be taken to Australia as a reserve player for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. "I feel he might also be taken to Australia as a reserve player. But it's just one of those things—you can only play eleven players, and the best eleven get selected. It's not that he isn't good enough; it's just that there's a lot of competition for those spots right now," he added.India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.The three-Test series against New Zealand begins in Bengaluru on October 16, followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai.

Former Indian cricketer and selector Jatin Paranjape has expressed confidence in Team India's ability to secure a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia. Paranjape believes that under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India will continue their dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and defeat Australia for the third consecutive time on their home turf.The highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and Australia is set to kick off in November. India has previously won back-to-back Test series in Australia, first under Virat Kohli in 2018–19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020–21.Paranjape predicts a 3-2 or 4-1 victory for India, stating that the team will be "definitely" victorious if injuries do not occur. He also discussed the fitness of Mohammed Shami, suggesting that Akash Deep could replace him if he is unavailable.Regarding Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the Test XI against Bangladesh, Paranjape emphasized the intense competition for batting spots. He believes that Khan may be taken to Australia as a reserve player and that he should continue to perform well to earn his chance.For the third opener role, Paranjape considers Shubman Gill and KL Rahul as potential candidates. He also mentioned Prithvi Shaw as a dark horse, highlighting his talent but acknowledging the tough competition.Paranjape advised caution in managing Mayank Yadav's workload, suggesting that he should focus on first-class cricket for the next year or two before being considered for red-ball cricket. He emphasized the importance of bowling to improve and believes that Yadav's strength and conditioning should be prioritized.Despite Australia's recent lack of Test cricket, Paranjape expects both teams to be aggressive and competitive throughout the series. He believes that Pat Cummins' Australia will not be at a disadvantage and that the series will be "fascinating to watch."

Prolific Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan will miss the team's Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda due to his inclusion in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp. The 25-year-old played a pivotal role in Mumbai's Irani Cup triumph last week, scoring an unbeaten 222.Khan's absence is a significant blow to Mumbai, who are the defending Ranji Trophy champions. The team will face Baroda in an away fixture from October 11 and Maharashtra at home from October 18. The latter match coincides with the India-New Zealand first Test in Bengaluru from October 16.Despite his absence, Khan is expected to retain his place in the India squad. The Mumbai selectors have picked a strong squad for the first two matches, led by Ajinkya Rahane. Other notable players include Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, and Shams Mulani.

Mumbai's run-machine Sarfaraz Khan fulfilled a heartfelt promise to his family and teammates by scoring a magnificent double century in the Irani Cup match against Rest of India. The knock was a testament to his unwavering determination and a tribute to his younger brother Musheer, who was recovering from a road accident.Khan's 222-run innings propelled Mumbai to a mammoth 537 all out on the third day of the match. The achievement marked a significant milestone for the 26-year-old, making him the first player to score an Irani Cup double hundred for Mumbai.Driven by a deep emotional connection, Khan had vowed to score a double century if he was set. "I had promised my family and teammates that if I am set, I will score 200 – a hundred for me and a hundred for my brother," he said.Despite the challenging conditions at the Ekana Stadium, Khan displayed his exceptional batting skills. His elegant drives on the off-side and masterful footwork against spinners were a sight to behold. He particularly targeted left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, punishing him for 137 runs in 37 overs.Khan's monumental effort was not only a personal triumph but also a testament to his unwavering commitment to his team. "It's a big opportunity for us to win the Irani Cup after a long time," he said. "I thought of playing as long as possible, putting as many runs on the board as possible which will help the team win."The double century further solidifies Khan's status as a potential national team contender. His consistent ability to score big runs has caught the attention of selectors, who are likely to consider him for the remaining Test matches of the season.Khan's performance is a reminder of the resilience and determination that drives athletes to achieve greatness. Despite the adversity faced by his family, he remained focused on his goal and delivered a truly memorable innings.

Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan produced a batting masterclass on the second day of the Irani Cup, scoring an unbeaten 221 to put his team in a commanding position against Rest of India (RoI).Khan's marathon innings, his fourth First Class double century, was a testament to his determination and skill. Despite a hot and humid day at the Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, he remained unfazed, frustrating the RoI bowlers with his cheeky strokes and game-sense.After Mumbai lost early wickets, Khan found support from Tanush Kotian, who contributed 64 runs. Together, they helped Mumbai recover from a shaky start. When Kotian departed, Shardul Thakur provided valuable support, scoring 36 runs.RoI's bowlers, including Yash Dayal, Prasidh Krishna, and Mukesh Kumar, tried various tactics to dismiss Khan, but he remained unyielding. He used his reverse-paddle shot to negate the off-spinner Saransh Jain's plan of bowling in the stumps.Khan's double century is the highest individual score for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, surpassing Ramnath Parkar's 195 in 1972. It is also the fifth highest individual score in the tournament's history.Mumbai ended the day on 536 for nine, with Juned Khan yet to bat. The team will hope to build on their strong position on the third day and secure a victory in the Irani Cup.

Sarfaraz Khan, the prodigious Indian batter, has once again showcased his exceptional talent with a scintillating century in the Irani Cup for Mumbai. Despite being overlooked for the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Sarfaraz's latest heroics have sent a resounding message to the team management.Sarfaraz, who has amassed an impressive 15 triple-digit scores in First Class cricket, reached his century in just 150 balls, demonstrating his aggressive approach. His partnership with Ajinkya Rahane yielded 98 runs on Day 1, setting the foundation for Mumbai's strong start.On Day 2, Sarfaraz continued his onslaught, adding 58 runs with Tanush Kotian to guide Mumbai to a commanding position. His century in the 92nd over placed him among the legendary likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who have each scored two centuries in the Irani Cup.Sarfaraz's performance has reignited the debate about his place in the Indian Test team. Despite his consistent domestic performances, he has yet to cement his spot in the playing XI. However, his latest century has served as a timely reminder of his immense potential.With the Indian team set to embark on a T20I series against Bangladesh, Sarfaraz will be hoping to continue impressing the management and earn a place in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia. His credentials are undeniable, but he faces stiff competition from KL Rahul, who is currently ahead of him in the pecking order.Sarfaraz's century has not only boosted Mumbai's chances in the Irani Cup but has also reignited the hopes of Indian cricket fans who believe he deserves a chance to shine at the international level. His ability to score runs consistently and his aggressive style of play make him an exciting prospect for the future of Indian cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Yash Dayal from the Indian Test squad for the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. The trio will participate in the Irani Cup, which begins in Lucknow on Tuesday.The decision was made to allow the players to gain match practice ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Sarfaraz will represent Mumbai, while Jurel and Dayal will join the Rest of India squad.Sarfaraz, a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, has been in impressive form this season. He has scored over 1,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy, including a triple-century. Jurel, a left-arm spinner, has also been in good form, taking 25 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. Dayal, a left-arm pacer, has impressed with his pace and accuracy.The BCCI had earlier stated that the trio would be released from the Test squad if they were not included in the playing XI. The decision to release them now is a testament to the BCCI's commitment to player development.The Irani Cup is an annual first-class cricket match played between the Rest of India and the winner of the Ranji Trophy. It is a prestigious tournament that provides players with an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete for a place in the Indian team.The release of Sarfaraz, Jurel, and Dayal from the Test squad is a significant development. It highlights the BCCI's focus on player development and its commitment to providing opportunities for young players to excel.

India's star batsman Shreyas Iyer faces an uphill battle to regain his spot in the Test cricket team. Despite a chance for a comeback in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, Iyer's disappointing performance has further diminished his prospects.Iyer's struggles in the Duleep Trophy, where he managed only 104 runs in four innings, have raised concerns among BCCI officials. His shot selection has been particularly criticized, with one official expressing doubts about his place in the current Test team."At the moment, there's no room for Shreyas to be in the Test team. Who will he replace? Besides, his shot selection has been a concern in Duleep, especially yesterday (Sunday)," the official told Telegraph.The rise of young talents like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who impressed during the series against England earlier this year, has pushed Iyer down the pecking order. Another board official hinted that Iyer will continue playing in the domestic circuit and suggested his inclusion in the five-match Test tour of Australia later this year is unlikely.However, the official also mentioned the possibility of Iyer participating in the Irani Cup and the Bangladesh T20I series, depending on his performance and availability. The official emphasized the need for Iyer to regain form while acknowledging his past achievements, particularly his batting during last year's ODI World Cup."Now, if he doesn't fire in Irani too, he still has the Ranji Trophy to get runs. It wasn't too many days ago when he was batting so well in last year's ODI World Cup. He suffered an injury too, which needs to be considered. Also, with still one round left in Duleep, you never know he might score a hundred. He needs to regain form. Most likely he won't go to Australia for his problems against the short ball, but one can't just ignore his runs at home," the official added.Iyer's absence from the Test team is a significant setback for India, as he has been a key member of the side in recent years. His ability to play spin and score runs quickly has made him a valuable asset in the middle order. However, his recent form has raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level.