Cricket

Team India is poised to embark on a highly anticipated five-match Test series against Australia later this year. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy holds immense significance, as Australia has historically held an edge over India in Test bilaterals. However, India has emerged victorious in the last four Test series between the two nations, including back-to-back wins on Australian soil.Former Team India chief selector Chetan Sharma believes that the Rohit Sharma-led side has the potential to dominate Australia in their own backyard. Sharma, who was the chief selector during India's last tour of Australia, feels that the visitors will have the upper hand, having consistently outplayed the Pat Cummins-led side in recent times."We have built a reputation as the No.1-ranked team in the world," Sharma said. "We will not only give them a tough fight but we will make them run in their own backyard. I have a lot of confidence in the players."Sharma also highlighted the strength of India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah. "Bowlers will win you Test matches," he said. "Right now, Team India has the best bowling attack in the world. We have seen it in recent times that we have bowlers to bowl the opposition out for even 150. Our bowlers are our trump card."This will be the first time since the early 1990s that India will play a five-match Test series in Australia. India won the last two tours of Australia with an identical scoreline of 2-1. In 2018-19, the Virat Kohli-led side won the final and decisive Test in Sydney. On the other hand, Kohli only played one match of the last tour as Ajinkya Rahane guided the team to victory in his absence.

Rahul Dravid's cricketing journey has been a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph. Known as "The Wall" for his unwavering defense, Dravid was a batting maestro who played countless match-winning innings for India. Despite his illustrious 16-year playing career, Dravid's trophy cabinet lacked an ICC title.However, destiny had a special plan for him. After retiring as a player, Dravid took over as coach of Team India. Under his guidance, Rohit Sharma and his team clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, India's first ICC title in 11 years.The World Cup final, where India defeated South Africa, was Dravid's last game as coach. The team rewarded him with the ultimate farewell gift, and during the trophy collection, fans witnessed a rare sight: the usually composed Dravid immersed in a wild celebration.The 51-year-old, known for his calm demeanor, opened up about the moment at the CEAT Awards. "We strived to achieve something together. When you come at the end of it, you have moments like that. It's great to celebrate," he said.However, Dravid admitted that he tries to hide his exuberant celebrations from his sons, Samit and Anvay. "I try to avoid showing that to my children, thinking I've gone mad or something," he said."But yeah, I was always telling the boys we got to maintain our balance, and remain cool, not go up and down with results. Thank god it was my last game, otherwise after that, they would have said 'you're saying one thing but doing something else'," he added.Dravid's son, Samit, recently earned a spot in India's Under-19 squad for the Australia series. The three-match one-day series will be held in Puducherry in September.

Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir Visits Kamakhya Temple in GuwahatiAmidst a brief respite from international cricket, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage to the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. Surrounded by security personnel, Gambhir was seen offering prayers and seeking blessings at the ancient temple.Gambhir's visit to the temple signifies a period of introspection and renewal for the Indian team. After a successful tour of Sri Lanka, where India emerged victorious in the T20I series but faced a setback in the ODIs, the team is now preparing for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.The tour of Sri Lanka marked Gambhir's debut as head coach of the Indian team. Despite the mixed results, Gambhir has expressed confidence in the team's abilities and is eager to guide them to greater heights.To bolster his coaching staff, Gambhir recently appointed former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel as the team's new bowling coach. Morkel, who played alongside Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Indian team.As the new season approaches, Gambhir and his team are focused on building a strong foundation and achieving success in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The series, which begins on September 19, will be a crucial test for the Indian team as they aim to establish their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, recently unveiled his all-time India XI, sparking both admiration and debate among fans. The team, which features a blend of legendary players and modern-day greats, notably excludes some of India's most prominent current stars.Gambhir's opening duo comprises himself and Virender Sehwag, two aggressive and prolific batsmen who formed a formidable partnership during their playing days. At number three, he has placed Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain and current head coach of the National Cricket Academy.The middle order boasts an array of batting stalwarts. Sachin Tendulkar, the "God of Cricket," occupies the number four spot, followed by Virat Kohli, the current Indian captain and one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Yuvraj Singh, the swashbuckling all-rounder, and MS Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, complete the batting lineup at numbers six and seven, respectively.In the bowling department, Gambhir has opted for a spin-heavy attack. Anil Kumble, the former Indian captain and one of the greatest leg-spinners of all time, is placed at number eight, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin, the current Indian off-spinner.For the pace bowling unit, Gambhir has selected Irfan Pathan, a left-arm seamer known for his all-round abilities, and Zaheer Khan, a left-arm pacer who was a key member of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team. Notably absent from the list is Jasprit Bumrah, the current Indian pace spearhead and one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.Gambhir's decision to snub Rohit Sharma, the current Indian ODI captain and one of the most prolific batsmen in limited-overs cricket, has raised eyebrows. Similarly, the omission of Kapil Dev, the legendary all-rounder who captained India to its first World Cup victory in 1983, has also sparked discussion.Despite the absence of these star players, Gambhir's all-time India XI remains a formidable lineup, showcasing the depth and talent that Indian cricket has produced over the years. It is a testament to the country's rich cricketing history and the abundance of exceptional players who have graced the game.

Yograj Singh, the father of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has reignited his feud with MS Dhoni, accusing him of ruining his son's career. Yograj, who played seven international matches for India, has repeatedly criticized Dhoni on public platforms, alleging that he sabotaged Yuvraj's chances of success.In a recent interview with Zee Switch YouTube channel, Yograj expressed his unwavering resentment towards Dhoni. "I won't forgive MS Dhoni. He should look at his face in the mirror. He is a great cricketer, but what he has done against my son is unforgivable," he said.Yograj's accusations stem from his belief that Dhoni deliberately sidelined Yuvraj in the Indian team. He claims that Dhoni's jealousy of Yuvraj's talent led him to manipulate the selection process and limit his opportunities.This is not the first time Yograj has attacked Dhoni. Earlier this year, he blamed Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) poor performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He alleged that Dhoni's "bad deeds" had come back to haunt him, resulting in CSK's failure.Yograj's comments have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans expressing their support for Yuvraj and criticizing Dhoni's alleged actions. However, Dhoni has remained silent on the matter, choosing not to engage in a public feud with Yograj.Meanwhile, Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 but continues to play in the IPL. His future with CSK remains uncertain, as there is no clarity on whether he will participate in the tournament next year.Yograj's accusations have cast a shadow over Dhoni's legacy, raising questions about his conduct as a captain and his relationship with fellow players. The ongoing feud between the two former cricketers highlights the complexities of team dynamics and the potential for personal conflicts to impact sporting careers.

With a packed Test schedule looming, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is diligently preparing to maintain his fitness. Exempted from the Duleep Trophy, Rohit has been engaging in rigorous workouts under the guidance of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.India's Test calendar includes 10 matches between September and January, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October. This will be followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand and a grueling five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.To ensure his readiness for this demanding schedule, Rohit has been focusing on his physical conditioning. Images circulating on social media show him running in a park and posing in a gym alongside Nayar and Dhawal Kulkarni.While most of India's Test regulars will participate in the Duleep Trophy, Rohit, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin have been exempted. Kohli has been spending time with his family in London during his break from cricket.Rohit's dedication to fitness is crucial for India's success in the upcoming Test season. His leadership and batting prowess will be vital as the team aims to perform well in the World Test Championship cycle and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Despite his impressive performances for Team India, Rinku Singh was surprisingly omitted from the nation's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. However, the young batsman has revealed the encouraging words he received from captain Rohit Sharma after the setback."He (Rohit Sharma) came to me and said that it is okay, I'm still young, and there are many more tournaments to come. There is a World Cup every two years, so I shouldn't be disappointed by this but focus on my game instead," Rinku said in an interview.Despite winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku was left out as India opted for four spin options. However, he was included as a traveling reserve.Immediately after the tournament, Rinku was included in India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe, where he played in every game as a middle-order batter. He then starred in the T20I series in Sri Lanka, impressing with the ball by picking up two wickets in the penultimate over of the final T20I to turn the game in India's favor.Presently, Rinku boasts an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 174 in 17 T20I innings for India. Remarkably, he has remained not out in 10 of those innings.Rinku also acknowledged Virat Kohli's style of leadership. "I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," he said.Rinku had recently expressed his desire to play for Kohli's franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) if he is not retained by KKR.Currently, Rinku is playing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UP T20), where he is captaining Meerut Mavericks. He has not been included in any of the four squads for the Duleep Trophy to be held in September.

India's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign was a tale of both triumph and disappointment. The team, led by Virat Kohli, entered the tournament as one of the favorites and lived up to expectations in the group stages, winning seven out of nine matches. However, their journey came to an abrupt end in the semi-final against New Zealand, leaving Indian fans heartbroken.India's dominance in the group stages was evident from their consistent performances. They defeated South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while their match against New Zealand was washed out due to rain. Rohit Sharma emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 648 runs at an average of 81.00, including five centuries. Virat Kohli also contributed significantly with 442 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker with 18 scalps.The semi-final against New Zealand proved to be a turning point for India. Chasing a modest target of 240, India's top order collapsed, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul all departing early. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, who stitched together a gritty partnership, India fell short by 18 runs.The defeat was a bitter pill for Indian fans to swallow, as the team had been strong contenders throughout the tournament. Rohit Sharma later expressed his belief that MS Dhoni should have batted at number four, a position that would have allowed him to play a more influential role in the chase.Despite the disappointment of the World Cup exit, India has since won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The team remains one of the strongest in the world and will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet in the years to come.

The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy looms large on the horizon, but Team India's limited-over schedule before the tournament raises concerns. With only three ODIs remaining, the recent series defeat against Sri Lanka has cast a shadow over the team's preparations.Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on the team's composition, particularly the opening department. Karthik believes Shubman Gill is the ideal partner for skipper Rohit Sharma, while Yashasvi Jaiswal should serve as the backup opener."Rohit and Shubman are a very good combination," Karthik said. "Jaiswal has a great opportunity to be the backup opener and will get his chance if Shubman doesn't perform as expected."Karthik expressed confidence that Gill and Rohit will open the batting for India in the Champions Trophy. However, the tournament's location remains uncertain, with Pakistan scheduled to host but the BCCI reportedly seeking alternative venues.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting the event in Pakistan, submitting a draft schedule to the ICC. However, the BCCI has reportedly expressed concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and is exploring the possibility of moving the matches to the UAE or another country."The PCB is fully committed to hosting a world-class ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at three of Pakistan's iconic venues," the PCB said in a statement.The uncertainty surrounding the tournament's location adds another layer of complexity to Team India's preparations. With limited opportunities to fine-tune their game before the Champions Trophy, the team will need to make the most of their remaining matches to ensure they are ready for the challenge.