Cricket

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, face a crucial test in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. After a disappointing home series against New Zealand, where both players struggled for form, their futures in the Test format are under scrutiny.Rohit, who became India's first captain to suffer a whitewash at home in Tests, has managed only 91 runs in three matches against New Zealand. His dismissals have raised concerns about his technique against pace bowling, particularly his tendency to mistime pull shots.Virat, who turned 36 recently, is enduring a dismal year in red-ball cricket, averaging just 22.72 in six games. The Australian tour, where he has a strong record, could be a make-or-break moment for the former India captain.Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Virat can overcome his current struggles. "The best thing about Virat is the determination and the hunger to achieve more," Srikkanth said. "Add to that his enviable record in Australia and I think he will bounce back strongly."However, the situation is more complex for Rohit. Srikkanth suggests that Rohit may need to adjust his batting style to succeed in Australia. "It is important to give yourself a little more time in the middle, especially in Australia, before going for the shots," he said.Rohit's captaincy is also under pressure. If India performs poorly in Australia, the blame will likely fall on him. Sunil Gavaskar has even suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should take over as captain for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable for the first Test.Srikkanth warns Rohit that his strength can become his weakness in Australia. "The Aussies have seen that Rohit isn't at his best with the pull shot early on in his innings," he said. "They are going to bowl slightly short at a good pace on bouncy tracks to Rohit, asking him to go for his favorite stroke."Rohit and Virat must justify the belief in their abilities and keep the Indian flag flying high in Australia. Their performances in the upcoming series will have a significant impact on their futures in the Test format.

Team India's future under Gautam Gambhir's leadership has come under scrutiny following the disappointing 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. The lack of clarity within the coaching setup has raised concerns, particularly regarding the roles of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate.Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary Indian cricketer, expressed his amusement at the ambiguity surrounding the coaching team. He questioned Nayar's designation and the dual roles of both Nayar and Ten Doeschate as assistant and batting coaches.Gavaskar urged Gambhir to take a more proactive role in guiding the Indian batters, given his extensive experience in Australian conditions. He emphasized that Gambhir's knowledge could prove invaluable in helping the team overcome the challenges they will face Down Under."For batting...what is the role of Abhishek Nayar in the team? Is he a batting coach or an assistant coach? Gambhir has scored a lot more runs than the two, so if he can step in and guide the players on how to bat in Australian conditions and the type of approach they should take, then we can probably perform better," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar also warned Gambhir that his honeymoon period is over and that he now needs to deliver results. He stressed that the team's performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be crucial in determining Gambhir's future as head coach.Some of Gambhir's decisions have been publicly criticized by experts and former cricketers. His decision to drop Shubman Gill for the third Test against New Zealand was met with particular disapproval.The Indian team's preparations for the Australia tour have been overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding the coaching setup. The lack of clarity and the absence of a clear leadership structure could hinder the team's progress and affect their chances of success in the upcoming series.

Team India's disastrous 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked a torrent of criticism, with former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pinpointing the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Duleep Trophy as a contributing factor.Kohli and Sharma had initially agreed to participate in the domestic red-ball event but withdrew at the last moment, citing a "lack of motivation." Manjrekar believes this decision was a mistake, arguing that the duo would have benefited from the match practice."The big learning for the selectors from this home season is that do not rest the already well-rested players because of their stature," Manjrekar wrote on social media. "I say this again, both Rohit & Virat would only have benefited from playing the Duleep Trophy start of the season."The Indian team's middle-order fragility, Rohit Sharma's captaincy, and Gautam Gambhir's insistence on turning tracks have also been identified as potential reasons for the series loss. However, Manjrekar's comments highlight the importance of match readiness, especially for senior players.Kohli and Sharma will have a significant responsibility when India travels to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, particularly in the absence of experienced batsmen like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Some experts believe that this could be the last Test series at home for Kohli, Rohit, and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian team must address these issues and find a way to regain their form if they want to avoid a similar fate in Australia. The Duleep Trophy could provide an opportunity for players to prove their worth and earn a place in the Test squad.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has endured a dismal series against New Zealand, with his poor form contributing significantly to the team's 3-0 defeat. Rohit's aggressive approach on challenging pitches has backfired, leading to six dismissals that have been criticized as "casual."However, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has defended Rohit's approach, attributing it to his elegant style of play. Gavaskar drew parallels to David Gower, another batsman who faced similar misinterpretations. "People tend to misinterpret his approach because his style is easy on the eye," Gavaskar said. "They care about their wickets and want to score runs, but their batting looks simple, and their dismissals reflect that."Rohit acknowledged his poor shot selection in the series but expressed no regrets over his aggressive approach. "I played a bad shot, but I don't regret it because it has given me success in the past," he said. "I will continue to do that."Rohit's struggles have raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics argue that his attacking style is not suited to the longer format of the game. However, Gavaskar believes that Rohit's leadership qualities should not be judged solely on his batting performance."He is a very good captain," Gavaskar said. "He has the ability to motivate his team and get the best out of them. He is also a very good tactician. I think he will be a successful Test captain."Despite Rohit's struggles, India's batting lineup has shown promise in the series. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara have both scored centuries, while Rishabh Pant has played some impressive innings. The team's bowling attack has also performed well, with Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin taking wickets consistently.India will be hoping to bounce back from their Test series defeat when they face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting on January 18. Rohit will be keen to prove his worth as a Test captain and lead his team to victory.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, is enduring a prolonged lean patch that has raised concerns ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In the recent three-Test series against New Zealand, Kohli managed a paltry 93 runs, averaging a mere 15.50. His struggles extended to six Tests, where he has accumulated only 250 runs at an average of 22.72.Despite Kohli's recent struggles, former World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes it is premature to write him off. Srikkanth highlighted Kohli's exceptional record against Australia, where he has amassed 2042 runs in 25 Tests at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries.On Australian soil, Kohli's numbers are even more impressive, with 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries. Under Kohli's leadership, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia during the 2018-19 tour.The upcoming India-Australia series, commencing on November 22, will provide Kohli with an opportunity to rediscover his form. The series will feature five Tests, starting with the first Test in Perth, followed by a day-night encounter in Adelaide, a Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the final Test in Sydney.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as the team aims to overcome the challenges of playing in Australian conditions.

Virat Kohli's recent decision to stay in New Zealand after India's Test series loss has sparked speculation about his future with the team. Despite India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash, Kohli appeared in good spirits as he celebrated his 36th birthday with wife Anushka Sharma.Kohli's form has been a major concern for fans and experts alike. Despite India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, Kohli has struggled for runs in all formats. In the recent Test series against New Zealand, he failed to cross the 100-run mark cumulatively.Questions have been raised about Kohli's continuity in the team, particularly in the Test format. While he has already retired from T20 internationals, some wonder if his days in India's Test team could be numbered.Kohli has been selected for India's upcoming tour of Australia, where he will have a chance to prove his worth. However, his recent form has raised doubts about his ability to lead India's batting charge Down Under.Experts believe that Kohli has the potential to turn things around, but others worry that a Test retirement could be on the horizon if he fails to improve his performance.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain. His performance in Australia will be crucial in determining his fate. If he can regain his form and lead India to success, he will silence his critics. However, if he continues to struggle, his days in the Test team could be numbered.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead the team, citing his match-winning performances and ability to perform in all conditions. He highlighted Pant's impact in the third Test against New Zealand, where he kept the Kiwis on edge throughout his innings."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain. He's worthy of it, whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front," Kaif said. "He's scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia, or South Africa. Be it seaming to turning tracks, he's a complete batter."Kaif also praised Pant's remarkable improvement in recent years, particularly in his wicket-keeping skills. He believes that Pant has the potential to become a legend of the game."When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically," Kaif added. "Hence, I believe from the current lot, if you're looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor, especially in Test cricket."While Pant has the credentials to lead the team, Jasprit Bumrah remains the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, according to the BCCI selection committee. However, Kaif's endorsement of Pant adds another dimension to the discussion and highlights the growing belief in the wicket-keeper batter's leadership abilities.

India's recent Test series whitewash against New Zealand has raised concerns over the poor form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, while Kohli has scored 192.Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha has emphasized the need for these experienced players to take responsibility. "They need to take full responsibility because they are senior players. They are in bad form at the moment, and because of that India's collapse looks worse," Ojha said.Ojha, who played alongside both Rohit and Kohli, believes their poor form is particularly concerning given the young age of the rest of India's top 6. Kohli and Rohit are the only two players over 30 in the lineup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (22), Shubman Gil (25), Rishabh Pant (27), and Sarfaraz Khan (27) completing the batting order.Ojha warned that Australia will not make it easy for Rohit and Kohli during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "The Australia series will be crucial for both of them. If they find form there, India will feel a little bit comfortable. Down Under, Australia will know that India are coming after losing a home series, and that too a whitewash. Australia will be ahead in mind games and make good use of it," he said.While India has won the last two Test series in Australia, their experienced batters have separate issues to deal with. Kohli did not play in three of the four Tests in 2020/21, while Rohit Sharma may miss the first Test at Perth due to an unconfirmed personal reason.

Rishabh Pant's valiant half-century in the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was a beacon of hope for Team India, but his controversial dismissal left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and pundits alike.With India reeling at 29/5 in pursuit of 147 runs for victory, Pant entered the fray and played a counterattacking knock, reaching his fifty in just 48 balls. His aggressive approach gave India a glimmer of hope, but his innings was cut short in the 22nd over.Ajaz Patel's delivery initially appeared to miss Pant's bat, but replays indicated a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed. The on-field umpire initially ruled not out, but New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Patel convinced him to review the decision.After a tense wait, the third umpire ruled in favor of the fielding team, much to the dismay of Pant and the Indian team. Pant briefly contested the decision with the on-field umpire before expressing his disappointment in the dressing room.Despite the setback, Pant finished the three-match series as the top run-scorer with 261 runs at an average of 43.50 and a strike rate of 89.38. His impressive performance included three half-centuries, with a highest score of 99.Pant's dismissal sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the decision. Some argued that the sound on UltraEdge could have been caused by Pant's bat hitting his pads, while others maintained that the ball had clearly nicked the bat.The incident highlighted the challenges of using technology in cricket and the fine line between a legitimate dismissal and an unfortunate error. It also served as a reminder of the immense pressure that players face in high-stakes matches.Despite the loss, Pant's fighting spirit and determination left a lasting impression on fans. His performance in the series showcased his ability to counterattack on challenging pitches and his unwavering belief in his team.