Cricket

India's Test squad remains unchanged ahead of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Despite the series being out of reach for India, the team management has decided against resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that no additional players have been added to the squad. He also clarified that Bumrah will not be rested, despite concerns about his workload. Nayar explained that Bumrah has not bowled a significant number of overs in the first two Tests, which were both curtailed due to rain."I think in the two Test matches he's (Bumrah) bowled around 20, 25 overs. So he's not bowled a lot," Nayar said. "Yes, there'll always be a thought process about his workload. Also, we played two games where we not at 5k cricket, it's been more three, three-and-a-half days, so he could have rest."Nayar also highlighted the importance of Bumrah to the team, especially considering the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. However, he acknowledged that the team management is aware of Bumrah's workload and will monitor it closely.Another factor influencing the decision to not rest Bumrah is the expected conditions at the Wankhede Stadium. Nayar believes that the pitch will offer assistance to seamers, especially in the early stages of each day."I always believe that Wankhede will always give pace a chance no matter what, especially when Mumbai winter doesn't feel like it," Nayar said. "But in the morning there will be a bit of moisture, there will be a bit of dew around. So you will expect the first sessions to have a bit of swing."Nayar also emphasized the need for self-reflection within the Indian team after losing a home series for the first time in over a decade. He urged the players to assess their game plans and improve their performances."I feel that though the conditions will be different with a red-soil pitch. The last time we played on a red soil, which was in Chennai, a lot of the guys have been a lot of local cricketers and they understand what these conditions are and how the pitch is going to pan out," he said. "I think it's more about, at this level, self reflection for every player to go in and understand their game plans."

India's dominance at home is under threat as they face the prospect of a historic whitewash against New Zealand in the third and final Test in Mumbai. The Kiwis have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, putting India's top spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) table in jeopardy.The defeats in Bengaluru and Pune have exposed the fragility of India's batting lineup, with key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to deliver. This has raised concerns about India's ability to qualify for the WTC final, which requires a top-two finish in the 2023-25 cycle.Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali believes that the Indian batsmen need to step up and score runs in the Mumbai Test. He emphasized the importance of Kohli and Sharma finding form, as well as other batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, and KL Rahul.Ali also suggested that India should consider playing a spin-heavy lineup on a turning track at the Wankhede Stadium. He believes that this would test the New Zealand batting, especially if left-armer Mitchell Santner is able to exploit the conditions.While the New Zealand spinners have been impressive, Ali praised the performances of their left-handed batsmen, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway. He believes that India will need to do their homework and come up with a plan to counter their threat.A win in the Mumbai Test is crucial for India's morale ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. A 3-0 whitewash at home would put them in a difficult position when they travel Down Under.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident that captain Kane Williamson will return to action for the first Test against England, scheduled for November 28-December 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Williamson suffered a groin injury during the tour of Sri Lanka, but the team management has opted for a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.Despite Williamson's absence, New Zealand pulled off a historic Test series victory in India, with Will Young stepping up in his place. However, tearaway quick Ben Sears is likely to miss the England series due to a knee injury.Stead expressed his confidence in Williamson's availability for the first Test against England, stating that they could have rushed him back for the Mumbai Test but decided against it to ensure proper recovery. He praised the team's performance in Williamson's absence, highlighting Young's contributions.Sears' injury could pave the way for a potential Test debut for Nathan Smith, who was recently added to New Zealand's central contracts list. Smith impressed as the top wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Plunket Shield.Stead also expressed optimism about New Zealand's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With four remaining Tests, they need to win each to finish on 64.29%. Stead drew inspiration from their previous WTC triumph in 2019-21, where they won six consecutive Tests.

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has refuted claims that the team requests tailor-made pitches for Test matches. He also expressed support for out-of-form legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the need for patience and backing.After suffering their first-ever Test series loss at home in 12 years, India will face New Zealand in the third and final Test from Friday. The Pune Test, played on a spinner-friendly track, resulted in India's 113-run defeat. Speculations have arisen that the Wankhede Stadium pitch in Mumbai could also favor spinners.However, Nayar denied these allegations, stating that the team does not have any influence over pitch preparation. "We don't curate pitches. The curators do. Whatever we're provided with, we go on and play," he said. "As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we're provided with."Regarding Kohli and Sharma's poor form, Nayar expressed confidence in their abilities. "I've seen nothing but love for them all over. When a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them their space and trusting that they will come back," he said. "They will put in the work."Nayar emphasized the importance of patience, especially with experienced players. "Everyone's worked really hard, everyone wants to do well. The effort is there. The approach is great. I feel they're putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, you've got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players," he said.India will be eager to salvage their pride in the final Test. The team's performance has been under scrutiny, and they will be determined to end the series on a positive note.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Legendary Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Kohli's inability to control his emotions while batting is a major factor behind his poor form.Hogg's comments come after Kohli's dismal performance in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. In five Tests so far in 2024, Kohli has scored only 245 runs at an average of 27.22, with just one fifty and a top score of 70.However, Hogg pointed out that Kohli has shown greater consistency in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25), amassing 556 runs in eight Tests at an average of 42.76. This includes a century and three fifties across 14 innings, with a best score of 121.Hogg believes that Kohli's struggles in the New Zealand series stem from his tendency to overanalyze his performance. "He was more aggressive, the way he strolled out there, the way that he was trying to attack the bowling. He just looked like he was overanalyzing," Hogg said.Hogg also criticized Kohli's shot selection, particularly in the second Test against New Zealand. "He looked as if he wasn't in control of his emotions and it showed in the shot that he played when he got out," Hogg said.The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played under lights at the Adelaide Oval from December 6-10. Hogg believes that Kohli needs to switch on from ball one and focus on controlling his emotions if he wants to succeed in Australia."Virat Kohli has to switch on from ball one," Hogg said. "He has to be a little bit tighter. He has to be in control of his emotions."

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning India's Jasprit Bumrah. Rabada's exceptional performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed nine wickets, propelled him to the top spot.Rabada's rise to the summit marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. He first achieved the top ranking in January 2018 but relinquished it in February 2019. His return to the apex demonstrates his unwavering consistency and world-class ability.Bumrah, who had held the top spot for an extended period, has slipped to third place. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood occupies the second position, while India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin remains at fourth. Australia's captain and fast bowler Pat Cummins rounds out the top five.Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has made a remarkable entry into the top 10, securing the ninth spot. His impressive performances in the home series against England, where he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 2-1 victory, have earned him a career-high ranking.New Zealand's left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has also achieved a personal best ranking. His outstanding performance in the Pune Test against India, where he claimed 13 wickets, has propelled him 30 positions to the 44th spot.Rabada's ascent to the top of the rankings is a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering determination. His ability to generate pace, swing, and accuracy makes him a formidable force in Test cricket. As he continues to lead South Africa's bowling attack, Rabada will undoubtedly aim to maintain his dominance and cement his legacy as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation.

Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney is confident in his ability to open the batting in the first Test against India, should the selectors opt for a non-specialist. The race to partner Usman Khawaja has narrowed down to two four-day matches between Australia A and India A.McSweeney, who typically bats at No. 3 for South Australia, has impressed with his recent performances, including scores of 55, 127 not out, 37, and 72 in the Sheffield Shield season. His strong form and leadership credentials have caught the attention of the national selectors."I think I'm playing probably the best cricket I have, batting No. 3 for South Australia, and pretty much my whole career," McSweeney said. "It's not too dissimilar to opening. I feel like you can be in there the first over of the game. All my preparation is with the new ball, so I feel like my game's ready."While McSweeney is eager for an opportunity to open, he remains focused on his current role at No. 3. "I'm quite clear where I'm batting for this game. It's a great honor to play for Australia and I'm happy to bat wherever," he said.Australia A will face a talented India A side in the upcoming four-day match in Mackay. India A boasts several Test squad members, including allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. McSweeney is excited about the challenge and believes his team can perform well."It will be nice to play those guys. We only see them on TV [in the IPL], for me personally," McSweeney said. "The wicket looks great, I don't think it will be too toss dependent. I think with the bat and the ball, they've got some great players.""We'll need to be at our best and hopefully we can put in a good performance and get the win for Australia A."

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, has set his sights on conquering the final frontier of his illustrious career: a Test series victory over India. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) set to commence in Perth on November 22, Cummins is determined to fill the void in his impressive CV.Australia has enjoyed a golden era under Cummins' leadership, claiming the Ashes, World Test Championship, and ODI World Cup. However, a Test series win over India has eluded them, with India remaining undefeated in the BGT for the past decade."It's kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off," Cummins said at the launch of his book. "Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home."India's recent Test defeats at home against New Zealand have raised questions about their preparations for the Australia tour. However, Cummins remains wary of their formidable batting lineup."I think any time a team's under pressure, it's not a bad thing if you're playing against them," Cummins said. "But they've been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go."The BGT is also crucial for the World Test Championship, with India and Australia currently occupying the top two positions. A series win would strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final.Cummins is confident in his team's ability to perform well against India. "We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well," he said. "I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is a big year, big season."

David Warner's recent comments about potentially returning to the Australian Test team have sparked a flurry of speculation, but his wife, Candice, has unequivocally stated that "it's not happening."Earlier this month, the 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket world by expressing his willingness to don the baggy green once more, particularly against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Steve Smith likely to drop down to his usual No. 4 position and Cameron Green nursing a back injury, an opening spot has become available.Warner's statement resonated with fans, who saw an opportunity for the veteran batsman to fill the void. However, Candice Warner has now put an end to any such hopes."He's very passionate about playing for Australia, and I think if George Bailey or Andrew McDonald called him up, he would jump at it," she said. "But it's definitely not going to happen."Candice Warner emphasized that her husband's comments were not a reflection of any disrespect towards the current openers or those vying for selection. She explained that if Warner were to consider a comeback, he would have to follow the same path as everyone else, including playing in the Sheffield Shield."If he genuinely didn't think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn't have said that," she added. "But it's not happening. End of discussion."Warner retired from international cricket in July 2023, ending a remarkable career that included 7,363 Test runs and 17 centuries. While his return would have been a welcome sight for Australian fans, it appears that the door is firmly shut on that possibility.