Cricket

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the players' preparation. Despite a comprehensive victory against Bangladesh, India's lack of match practice has been cited as a major factor in their 0-3 loss.According to reports, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah had initially agreed to participate in the Duleep Trophy as part of their preparations for the Bangladesh and New Zealand series. However, they later withdrew, citing "lack of motivation."The selectors had made arrangements for the quartet's participation in the tournament, which was held from September 5 to 22. However, their withdrawal left a void in the domestic competition, which was intended to provide match practice for players ahead of the international assignments.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that the lack of practice contributed to India's poor performance. "They should have had some practice, definitely. It's a long gap," he said. "New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do."The report also claims that Ravindra Jadeja was pulled out of the Duleep Trophy campaign by the selectors after Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Ashwin's withdrawal. Among those India stars who featured in the Test series against the Kiwis, only Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Washington Sundar had participated in the domestic tournament.While Jadeja made an impact with a 10-wicket haul in the Mumbai Test, Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin struggled. Bumrah, on the other hand, had little help from the spin-friendly tracks.The lack of match practice has raised questions about the BCCI's preparation strategy for the Indian team. Experts believe that the players need more competitive matches to stay sharp and adapt to different conditions.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently experiencing a temporary slump in form, urging fans not to overreact. Despite their disappointing performances in the recent Test series against New Zealand, Gavaskar emphasized that both players have faced challenging batting conditions and have been unlucky at times."Even the best players go through bad patches," Gavaskar told the Indian Express. "These weren't easy pitches to bat on in all three matches. Sometimes you need a bit of luck... But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you."Gavaskar also highlighted the importance of match practice for the Indian team, suggesting that the top batters should have participated in the Duleep Trophy prior to the New Zealand series. He noted that the New Zealand bowlers had a better understanding of the Indian pitches due to their experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."They should have had some practice, definitely," Gavaskar said. "It's a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it's going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand. But New Zealand obviously had the better attack."Despite the recent setbacks, Gavaskar remains optimistic about the Indian team's prospects. He believes that the players will have time to prepare for the upcoming tour of Australia and will be ready to perform at their best."India's Test stars now have a few days off before they start preparations for the Australia tour," Gavaskar said. "I'm sure they will be working hard to improve their form and get ready for the challenges ahead."

Shubman Gill's Dismissal Draws Criticism from Sunil GavaskarIndian cricket prodigy Shubman Gill's dismissal on Day 3 of the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has sparked criticism from legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar. Gill, who had scored 90 runs in the first innings, was clean bowled by New Zealand's Ajaz Patel after failing to read the ball.Gavaskar, known for his astute cricketing analysis, expressed his disappointment with Gill's dismissal. "How many times have we seen Gill get out leaving the ball? To spinners, to fast bowlers... judgment of which ball to leave, which ball to play is something he will have to work on," Gavaskar said.Gill's dismissal was particularly frustrating as it came at a crucial juncture in the match. India had already lost the series, having suffered defeats in the first two matches. A victory in the Mumbai Test was essential to boost their hopes of making it to the World Test Championship final.However, the top-order batters failed to deliver, with Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan all being dismissed for cheap scores. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja forged a fine partnership to start India's rescue act, but Jadeja was also dismissed by Patel.At the end of the first session, the onus of guiding India to victory rested on the shoulders of Pant and Washington Sundar. India's hopes of winning the match and salvaging some pride in the series now hang in the balance.

Shubman Gill's resurgence in Test cricket has been a testament to his resilience and adaptability. After a challenging start to the year, where his place in the team was under scrutiny, Gill has rediscovered his form with a string of impressive performances.In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, Gill has been a key figure in India's batting lineup. His 90-run knock in the first innings of the second Test in Mumbai was a masterclass in patience and determination. Facing a formidable New Zealand spin attack, Gill played with a calm and composed approach, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.Gill's innings was particularly crucial as it helped India recover from a precarious position. After losing early wickets, Gill and Rishabh Pant forged a 96-run partnership that gave India a slender first-innings lead. Gill's ability to anchor the innings and provide stability was a key factor in India's eventual victory.Speaking after his innings, Gill revealed that he had drawn inspiration from his successful Test series against England earlier this year. "I was trying to just go out there and have another opportunity to bat for the maximum (time) I could and not put pressure on myself by thinking about how many runs I must score," he said.Gill's return to form is a welcome boost for India, who are looking to consolidate their position at the top of the ICC Test rankings. His ability to play spin effectively and his growing maturity as a batsman make him a valuable asset to the team.As India prepares for the third and final Test of the series, Gill will be hoping to continue his impressive run of form and help his team secure a series victory.

Former BCCI and Team India selector MSK Prasad has raised concerns over the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy, who has played only 21 first-class matches, has been fast-tracked into the Test squad after impressing in IPL 2024 and in T20Is for India.Prasad believes that Reddy should not be expected to perform like Hardik Pandya, who is a more experienced all-rounder. "He is not Hardik, who bowls at 140. He just bowls at 125 to 130kmph," Prasad said.Prasad also expressed concern over Reddy's lack of experience in red-ball cricket. "I'm concerned because of the kind of role we gave to Hardik back then after whatever Test cricket he had played," Prasad added.Hardik's Test career lasted only 11 Tests, and he hasn't played a red-ball game in over six years. He has often been bogged down by injury and needed workload management.Prasad has similar worries about Reddy, who has only 708 runs and a solitary century in first-class cricket. "His batting numbers are far from brilliant," Prasad said.Despite his concerns, Prasad acknowledged that Reddy has taken 55 first-class wickets at a good average of 26.01. However, he believes that Reddy's selection is a gamble."It's a gamble. He's a talented player, but he's not ready for Test cricket yet," Prasad said. "I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not convinced."

Team India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has emphasized the collective responsibility of the team following their Test series loss against New Zealand. Gambhir acknowledged that the batters have faced challenges, but he refused to solely blame them for the defeat."Everyone has the responsibility," Gambhir stated. "I cannot say just the batters have let us down."The Indian team has struggled with both swing and spin bowling, resulting in low team totals. However, Gambhir believes that the batters need to adapt to the demands of Test cricket."Test cricket should be played like Test cricket," he said. "If we have to get 400 runs inside a day's play, we should be able to get it."Gambhir also addressed concerns about the defensive technique of batters being affected by T20 cricket. He emphasized the importance of a strong defense, regardless of the format."The more T20 cricket is played, the more people will struggle in defending," he said. "But the most successful players always had strong defense."Regarding the upcoming third Test in Mumbai, Gambhir ruled out adding any new players to the squad. He also expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the series loss."I am not going to sugarcoat that it is hurting," he said. "It should hurt and that will make us better."Gambhir emphasized the need for empathy in working with players under pressure. He believes that supporting the players is crucial for their development."I realize it's a complete different thing when you were playing and now as a coach, need to put your arm around the players," he said.

India's path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final has become more challenging after consecutive defeats against New Zealand. However, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar remains confident, emphasizing that the team is not dwelling on past results.Despite sitting atop the WTC standings with a 62.82-point percentage, India faces a daunting task. To reach the final in London next year, they must win their remaining six Tests, including five against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Nayar acknowledged the difficulties ahead but stressed the importance of staying present and taking it one game at a time. "When you put on the Indian jersey, every game is critical," he said. "We have not been narrow-minded about the WTC. Our focus is on the game at Wankhede."If India can secure a victory in the third Test against New Zealand, they will be just three wins away from the final. However, the pathway is not straightforward.India's chances of reaching the final hinge on their ability to maintain their dominance. If they can win four of their remaining six games, they will have a 64.04% point percentage, assuming they avoid any penalties for slow over rates. This would guarantee their place in the final, regardless of other results.Nayar emphasized the team's determination to overcome the challenges ahead. "We need to stay in the present and take it day by day," he said. "If we can do that, we will be one step closer to where this team wants to be."

Ishan Kishan, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, has been away from the Indian cricket team for the past eleven months. After a T20I against Australia in Guwahati, Kishan took a break from the national side to focus on domestic cricket.During his time away, Kishan has played in various domestic tournaments, including the DY Patil T20, Buchi Babu multi-day tournament, Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy. His impressive performances in the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy earned him a recall to the India A squad for the tour of Australia.Kishan credits his time away from the national team with helping him rediscover his hunger for the game. He spent a month in Baroda with Hardik Pandya, where he underwent a rigorous training regimen that included yoga, meditation, and early morning workouts."I had a reality check in Baroda about my hunger towards the game," Kishan said. "The process was just too good. It was like starting your life again, your cricket again."Kishan also received valuable advice from Pandya, who encouraged him to adopt a more practical mindset. "Hardik is a very practical guy," Kishan said. "He keeps sharing ideas with me. I am in a very practical zone right now."Despite the challenges he has faced, Kishan remains optimistic about his future. He is eager to return to the Indian team and make a significant contribution."I am very hungry to get an international match," Kishan said. "I know what happens in team meetings when someone makes a comeback to the team. How light banter happens and I am very excited about those things also. Whenever I get that opportunity, I am going to go all-in for sure."

Team India's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked widespread criticism, with former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali joining the chorus of voices expressing concern. Ali highlighted the team's batting failures as the primary reason for their downfall, emphasizing their inability to handle both spin and pace bowling."India's batting got exposed," Ali said. "In the first match, the Kiwi pacers took 17 wickets. In the second Test, spinners took 19 wickets. India players were neither able to play pacers well nor spinners."Ali also pointed to the team's overconfidence as a contributing factor. "India might have thought they would beat the Kiwis easily," he said. "This means that the Indian management and players were overconfident."Ali expressed particular concern over the team's preparedness for the upcoming Australia tour, noting the absence of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami from the squad. "I am surprised why there is no Mohammed Shami in the squad for the Australia tour," he said. "You have put all the load on Bumrah. Without Shami, India might face problems in Australia."Ali's criticism echoes the sentiments of many experts who have questioned India's batting technique and mental approach. The team's inability to adapt to different bowling conditions and their tendency to collapse under pressure have been major concerns.As India prepares for the Australia tour, they will need to address these issues and find a way to improve their batting performance. The absence of Shami, one of their most experienced and reliable bowlers, is also a significant setback.The team's management and players will need to work together to find solutions and regain their winning ways. Otherwise, they risk further setbacks and a decline in their Test rankings.