Cricket

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull's prediction from 2018 that Shubman Gill would have a more successful career than Prithvi Shaw has proven accurate. Gill's composed 90 in India's first innings of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has further solidified his position as a key player for India across all formats.Doull's initial observation of Gill's technical superiority over Shaw during the 2018 U19 World Cup has been borne out. While Shaw made a century on Test debut against West Indies in Rajkot later that year, Gill has since established himself as a consistent performer in the longest format.Gill's ability to adapt and make subtle changes to his game has impressed Doull. "He's able to take in information and process that and has the ability to make those subtle changes," Doull said. "Because I think he just wants to score runs."Gill's hunger for big runs, particularly in Test cricket, is evident in his performances. He has surpassed the 800-run mark in Tests in 2024, while Shaw has struggled for form and fitness.Doull believes that Gill, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, represents the future of Indian batting. "He's got a huge role to play in years to come," Doull said. "So to make little improvements in between Test matches, absolute class."Gill's consistent performances have justified Doull's bold prediction from 2018. His technical prowess, adaptability, and hunger for runs have made him a vital cog in India's batting lineup.

India's batting woes against spin have been laid bare in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. The hosts suffered humiliating defeats in all three matches, with their batsmen failing to cope with the turning tracks.In the first Test in Bengaluru, India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions backfired, leading to a disastrous 46 all out in the first innings. However, the batting failures in Pune and Mumbai were even more alarming, as the hosts surrendered meekly against spin.Ajaz Patel's six-wicket spell in Mumbai scripted a 25-run victory for New Zealand, despite India needing just 147 to win. Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes this defeat is an admission that Indian batsmen can no longer play spin effectively."On flat tracks, we can play spin, but everybody can on a flat track. The only difference is that we play spin better than other teams on flat tracks and bowl better as well because our spinners have quality," Chopra said. "But if the track offers spin ever so slightly, then whether it is the Pune or the Wankhede in Mumbai (we fall short)."Many Indian batters resorted to playing the sweep and reverse-sweep to counter spin, but Chopra believes this is a risky strategy that requires extensive practice. "Neither we have confidence in spin, nor we have control on our shots. We are trying to find a shot when it's not there, trying sweeps, practicing it before the start of play every morning. But it's like learning a new language, my friend. If you don't know a language, it takes a lot of time to learn it," he said.Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India's batting stalwarts, failed to deliver in all three Tests, extending their poor run of form in the home season. Kohli scored just 93 runs in three innings, while Rohit aggregated 91. Rishabh Pant was the top-scorer of the series with 261 runs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India's humiliating defeat.Chopra believes the lack of domestic cricket is a major factor behind India's batting woes against spin. "When we focus more on white-ball cricket, then that habit of playing on turning pitches vanishes. We don't even remember when our main players last appeared in a first-class domestic match. So where are you going to practice?" he said.Rohit last played a domestic first-class match in 2016, while Kohli's last domestic appearance came in 2012. "You play international cricket, which is okay; but international cricket is played on good tracks 9 out of 10 times. When it happens on bad tracks, then you get caught. It's happening again and again," Chopra analyzed.India's next assignment is a limited-overs tour of South Africa, followed by a five-Test series against Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Having conceded the top spot on the World Test Championship (WTC) table to Australia, India's chances of qualifying for the WTC final are now in jeopardy.

India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand, their first-ever Test series loss on home soil, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The defeat has exposed glaring deficiencies in India's batting lineup and raised questions about the team's preparation and tactics.In the third Test in Mumbai, India needed just 147 runs to win but collapsed to a 25-run defeat on a red-soil turner at the Wankhede Stadium. Barring Rishabh Pant's valiant 64, none of the Indian batters, including top-order stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, could handle the spin of Ajaz Patel (6 for 57) and Glenn Phillips (3 for 42).Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has slammed India's head coach Gautam Gambhir for his IPL-like tactics, which he believes contributed to the team's downfall. Gambhir, who was appointed after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL victory earlier this year, has been criticized for his aggressive approach, which has seen India lose three consecutive Tests inside three days.Ali argues that Gambhir's tactics, which prioritize quick runs and attacking play, are not suited to Test cricket. He points to the example of England's "Bazball" approach, which has yet to yield significant results in terms of major tournament success.Ali also questions India's strategy of preparing turning tracks, which he believes has undermined the confidence of their batters. With the all-important Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia approaching, he fears that India's lack of preparation on seaming wickets could prove costly.

India's upcoming tour of Australia will be a daunting challenge, especially considering their recent 0-3 defeat to New Zealand. However, the team has opted to forgo practice matches in favor of match simulations with India A. This decision was made to maximize preparation time and ensure that all players receive adequate workload.Captain Rohit Sharma explained the rationale behind this choice. He emphasized that the team has a large squad of 19 players and only three days were allotted for practice matches. He expressed concerns that this limited time would not allow for sufficient workload distribution.Instead, India will engage in match simulations where batters can spend extended periods at the crease and bowlers can bowl a significant number of deliveries. This format allows for more targeted preparation and flexibility, as batters can be retired out to give others an opportunity to bat.India A, which includes several members of the Test squad, has already played a four-day game against Australia A. Rohit expressed confidence that the match simulation with India A will provide valuable preparation, especially given the similarities between the WACA and Optus Stadium, where the first Test will be played.The five-Test series in Australia has taken on even greater significance as India needs to win four matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final next year. Rohit's availability for the first Test is uncertain, but he remains hopeful of joining the team in Perth.

India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Indian cricketers have expressed their dismay and called for introspection.Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Harbhajan Singh have urged the team management to stop "needless experimentation" in the Test format and start playing on better pitches. They believe that the team's poor performance against spin is a major concern.Tendulkar highlighted the lack of match practice and poor shot selection as possible reasons for the debacle. He praised Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill for their fighting performances.Sehwag criticized the team's skill against spin and questioned the need for unnecessary experimentation in Test cricket. He congratulated New Zealand for their historic victory.Harbhajan Singh emphasized the need for better pitches, stating that turning tracks make every batsman look ordinary. He believes that teams don't need legendary spinners to take wickets on such surfaces.Irfan Pathan pointed out the lack of red-ball cricket for senior Indian batters as a contributing factor. He also raised concerns about the quality of domestic cricket pitches.Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India's long phase of rank turners is coming to an end.Overseas reactions included Michael Vaughan's observation that Indian batters now struggle against spin like most teams. Ian Bishop praised New Zealand's remarkable turnaround after their whitewash in Sri Lanka.Lasith Malinga hailed New Zealand's historic win, while Mitchell McClenaghan called it arguably their best ever. Mickey Arthur pointed out that India will have a point to prove in their upcoming tour of Australia.

India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked a wave of introspection and criticism, with former spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his disappointment and pointing out the pitfalls of over-preparing spin-friendly pitches.Harbhajan, who played 103 Tests for India, believes that the pitches in the recent series were excessively spin-friendly, which backfired against the Kiwis. "The conditions here were offering a lot of turn—Gaddha khoda toh tha lekin gir khud gaaye (we dug a pit for others, but we ended up falling into it ourselves)," he quipped.The former spinner emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that both the captain and the team share responsibility for the defeat. He believes that while India aimed to create challenging conditions for New Zealand, the approach ultimately favored the visitors' bowling attack, particularly left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Patel's six wickets in the final Test sealed a thrilling 25-run win for New Zealand, dismantling India's batting lineup and securing the historic 3-0 sweep. Harbhajan believes that India could have won the series on standard pitches, potentially with a 2-0 or 2-1 margin."Test cricket means that a match should ideally go on for five days and the better team should emerge victorious. I think the conditions should not be tampered with too much. If you want to play good cricket, then you have to play on a good wicket," Harbhajan said.The series defeat has raised questions about India's pitch preparation strategy and the need for a more balanced approach. Harbhajan's comments highlight the importance of creating pitches that challenge both batsmen and bowlers, allowing for a fair contest and a more entertaining spectacle for fans.

Shubman Gill's resilient 90 on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand propelled India to a first-innings lead, cementing his position as one of India's most prolific batters in the World Test Championship (WTC).Gill's innings was a beacon of stability amidst the fall of six wickets at the other end. His 146-ball knock, which narrowly missed out on a century, showcased his maturity and composure at the crease. In the process, Gill surpassed former India No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara's tally of 1,769 runs in the WTC, moving up to fourth place among Indian batters with 1,799 runs.Rohit Sharma remains atop the list with 2,674 runs, followed by Virat Kohli (2,426) and Rishabh Pant (1,933). Gill's rise to the top echelon of Indian batting is a testament to his consistent performances since inheriting the No. 3 position from Pujara in June 2023.Gill and Pant played pivotal roles in India's first-innings total of 263, with Pant's whirlwind 60 off 59 balls providing a much-needed release of pressure. Washington Sundar's valuable 38-run cameo at the end further boosted India's score.With the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put India in a commanding position heading into Day 3. Ashwin claimed three wickets, while Jadeja picked up four, reducing New Zealand to 171/9 at stumps.New Zealand's lead of 143 runs leaves the Test match poised for a thrilling finish on Day 3. India, desperate to avoid a three-Test series loss at home for the first time since 1983, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

New Zealand has etched its name in cricket history by becoming the first team to inflict a humiliating 3-0 whitewash on India on home soil. The Kiwis' triumph at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday marked a watershed moment in the annals of Test cricket.This unprecedented victory is a testament to New Zealand's unwavering determination and tactical brilliance. It is the first time the Black Caps have ever won three Tests in a series, both home and away. Moreover, it is the first time they have triumphed in three consecutive away Tests.The whitewash is a bitter pill for India to swallow, as it is the first time they have been swept aside in a home series of three or more Tests. New Zealand joins an elite group of teams, including England, Australia, and the West Indies, to have whitewashed India in a series of three or more Tests.Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who had previously taken ten wickets in an innings at the Wankhede Stadium, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His five wickets in the first innings prevented India from gaining a substantial lead. Patel's match-winning spell of 6/57 saw India collapse to a paltry 121 all out in just 29.1 overs.In the post-match presentation, New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed his elation. "We are ecstatic," he said. "The boys have done a fantastic job over the last three Test matches. We are pretty happy. We just want to keep it simple here. We tried to be more proactive and guys chipped in. We are very happy to stand at this position."New Zealand's dominance was evident throughout the series. They won the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets and the second Test in Pune by 113 runs. Their victory in Mumbai was a fitting end to a remarkable tour.

India's Test dominance at home has been shattered by New Zealand, who have inflicted a humiliating 0-3 whitewash on the hosts. This is the first time India have been swept aside in a home Test series since 1998, when Australia achieved the feat.The Kiwis' triumph began with an eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru, followed by a 113-run triumph in Pune. In Mumbai, they completed the clean sweep with a 25-run win at the Wankhede Stadium.Chasing a modest 147, India's batting crumbled once again. Captain Rohit Sharma (11) fell early, followed by Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (1). Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) and Sarfaraz Khan (1) also departed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 29/5.Rishabh Pant (64) and Ravindra Jadeja (28) provided some resistance with a 42-run stand, but Pant's dismissal after lunch triggered a collapse. Ajaz Patel (6/57) was the wrecker-in-chief, while Matt Henry (1/10) and Glenn Philips (3/42) also contributed.New Zealand's victory marks the first time they have won a Test series in India since 2012. They are also the first team to whitewash India in a home Test series in over 24 years.India's batting woes have been a major concern throughout the series. The top order has failed to provide a solid foundation, while the middle order has been unable to capitalize on starts. The bowling attack, led by Jadeja, has been competitive but has lacked support from the batsmen.New Zealand, on the other hand, have played with great discipline and determination. Their bowlers have been relentless, while their batsmen have shown resilience and adaptability.The whitewash is a major setback for India, who have been the dominant force in Test cricket in recent years. It will be interesting to see how they respond in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.