Cricket

Delhi's young speedster Harshit Rana has emerged as a potential contender for the third pacer's slot in India's playing XI for the opening Test against Australia in Perth. With just 10 first-class matches under his belt, Rana has impressed with his consistent pace over 140 kph and his ability to extract good bounce.During India's nets at the WACA ground in Perth, Rana troubled the batters with his raw pace on several occasions. India's bowling coach Morne Morkel spent considerable time with the Karnataka man, who was also impressive during the recent A series against Australia at Mackay and Melbourne.Rana's challenge for the third pacer's role comes at the expense of senior teammate Prasidh Krishna, who has experience of playing two Tests and can also hit the top of off-stump. However, Rana's consistent pace and bounce could give him an edge in the Perth conditions.Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's international comeback might take place in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it could happen during the second half of the series. The BCCI medical team and national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to check if his body is holding up after multiple games, even though it's a white-ball format tournament.Shami, who appeared in a competitive match after a year, was impressive in his outing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at Indore, returning with a seven-wicket match haul in his side's first victory of the season. However, the selection committee doesn't want to take chances by fast-tracking Shami after just one Ranji Trophy match, having completed an extensive rehabilitation program.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has opined that India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand could serve as a wake-up call for the team. India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been dealt a significant blow by this defeat, their first home Test series loss in 12 years.Hayden believes that the loss could be a "kick up the ae" that India needs. Despite their poor performance in the series, Hayden believes that India's experience in long-format cricket will give them an advantage in their upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Hayden also commented on the selection of Nathan McSweeney as an opener for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney has impressed in recent matches, and Hayden believes that he has the potential to be a successful Test opener."Time will tell," Hayden said. "From a former opening batsman's point of view, I'd like to just confirm that he's a good choice."Hayden emphasized that the most important qualities for a Test opener are character and the ability to handle the pressure of international cricket. He believes that McSweeney possesses these qualities and has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Australian team.

Queensland opener Matt Renshaw has reignited his Test aspirations with a defiant century against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield. The 28-year-old, who had been overlooked for the upcoming India series, struck an unbeaten 120 to lead Queensland's fightback on day three at Allan Border Field.Renshaw's innings was a timely reminder of his class, having struggled for runs in recent Shield matches. However, he displayed confidence and determination from the outset, hitting his first boundary with a purposeful whip through mid-on. He continued in that vein, bringing up his 22nd first-class century with a punch through cover.Renshaw's century came after he had taken steps to block out the hype surrounding Australia's opening slot. "Deleting a lot of apps and not reading any news has been a big one," he said. "It feels like every summer there is a circus about something and it is usually about the openers because Australian cricket wants another opener."Despite missing out on Test selection, Renshaw remains confident in his ability to add to his 14 caps for Australia. "Definitely. I feel like I am not too far away," he said. "Obviously timing is huge in cricket. I missed my time on this occasion but there will be another time in the future when I have to be ready."Renshaw received support from Ben McDermott, Jimmy Peirson, and 19-year-old seamer Tom Straker. McDermott scored 44, Peirson contributed 36, and Straker took 4-87 in Tasmania's first innings.Tasmania had resumed on 394 for 5 on day three, but were bowled out for 461. Allrounder Beau Webster upped the ante as wickets tumbled, scoring a quickfire 32.Queensland finished the day on 274 for 7, needing 37 runs to avoid the follow-on with a day remaining.

Virat Kohli Faces Pressure in Upcoming Test Series Against AustraliaFormer Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could put significant pressure on Indian batsman Virat Kohli. India and Australia will face off in a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd in Perth. India enters the series having won the last four encounters, but a recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand raises questions about their current form.Kohli, a linchpin of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, has experienced a recent dip in form, averaging just 22.72 in six Test matches this year. With injuries potentially sidelining key batsmen Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Kohli's performance.McGrath suggests that Australia will be looking to exploit any vulnerability, stating, "So put the pressure on them and see if they're up for it." While Kohli boasts an impressive average of 54.08 in his previous four tours of Australia, McGrath believes the Indian batsman's emotional nature could be a factor in the upcoming series."I think he's probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it. I think he's quite an emotional player. When he's up, he's up, and when he's down, he sort of struggles a little bit," McGrath added.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern for Indian fans, and McGrath's comments will only add to the pressure on the star batsman. India will need Kohli to be at his best if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just a week away, the uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test continues to linger. The Indian captain is expected to miss the first match in Perth, starting November 22, due to the birth of his second child. However, neither Rohit nor head coach Gautam Gambhir have provided a definitive answer, leaving the team in a state of limbo.Former India player Mohammad Kaif has expressed his concern over this situation, stating that it is not ideal for the team in such a crucial series. India needs to win the five-match Test series 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on external factors. A poor result in Australia could jeopardize their chances of reaching the summit clash."This scenario is completely wrong. You want your best team to play such a big Test match. Rohit Sharma should be there. He will open for India in the series and exactly knows how to lead the team. Rohit has every right to miss a game due to family matter but he should inform early. The suspense is not ideal," said Kaif in a video on his YouTube channel.Kaif believes that Rohit's hesitation to confirm his availability stems from his desire to play. He knows that the team lost 3-0 to New Zealand in their previous Test series and is eager to make amends. "Rohit might not have given confirmation about his availability because he wants to play. He knows the team has lost 3-0 to New Zealand. His wife is pregnant but if things are better at home, he will be there in Australia. That is why he has not announced about his unavailability yet. I think he wholeheartedly wants to go there and play," he added.Earlier this week, Gambhir stated that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side if Rohit is unavailable. However, Kaif believes that this is not an ideal solution. "No player agrees to captain a side for one game. It is not a good idea as well. It would be much better if Rohit leads India in the opening game," he said.The uncertainty surrounding Rohit's availability has created a sense of unease within the Indian team. With such a crucial series on the horizon, they need clarity and stability in their leadership. The sooner Rohit makes a decision, the better it will be for the team's preparation and morale.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. Sharma and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on Friday night, and the Indian captain has decided to stay back in Mumbai to spend time with his family.Sharma's absence from the first Test will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket, including 30 centuries, and is considered one of the best openers in the game.In Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test. Bumrah is one of the world's leading fast bowlers, and he will be looking to make a statement as captain. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature due to a fractured thumb.The Indian team left for Perth in two batches on November 10 and 11, with Sharma staying back in Mumbai for the birth of his child. The team has been preparing for the Test series in Perth, and they will be hoping to start the series with a win.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 17 in Perth. The series is expected to be closely contested, and Sharma's absence from the first Test will give Australia a slight advantage. However, the Indian team will be confident of winning the series, and they will be looking to make a strong start in Perth.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batter, has arrived in Australia for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his recent form struggles, the Australian media has accorded him a grand reception, recognizing his enduring status as a cricketing icon.Various Australian newspapers, including The West Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, have prominently featured Kohli on their front pages. However, their coverage has been a curious blend of admiration and scrutiny. While acknowledging Kohli's past brilliance, they have also highlighted his recent performance dip.The Sydney Morning Herald's front-page image of Kohli, captioned "A Heavy Crown," captures the duality of his current situation. The publication notes that Kohli's form has waned in recent years, particularly in Test cricket. Since 2020, he has averaged a modest 31.68, a far cry from his peak years between 2016 and 2019, when he averaged an astonishing 66.79.Kohli's struggles were evident in India's recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he managed only 192 runs in 10 innings. This poor performance saw him drop out of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings Top 20 for the first time in a decade.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force in Test cricket. His career average of 47.83 is a testament to his exceptional talent. Moreover, he has a remarkable record against Australia on their home turf, averaging 54.08 in 13 matches.The Australian media's intense focus on Kohli is a reflection of his enduring popularity and the high stakes of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli will be eager to prove that he is still a world-class batter, while Australia will be determined to exploit his recent vulnerabilities. The series promises to be a fascinating contest between one of the greatest batters of all time and a formidable Australian team.

Virat Kohli's Test Dominance in Australia Earns Him Unparalleled RespectIn the lead-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shed light on the immense respect Virat Kohli commands in Australia, attributing it to his remarkable performances in Test matches on Australian soil.Chopra believes that Test cricket holds a special place in Australia, and dominating in this format is the ultimate way to earn respect. He emphasized that Kohli's stellar Test record in Australia, with 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, has made him a celebrated figure among Australian fans and media alike.Chopra dismissed any suggestion that the hype surrounding Kohli is a result of media manipulation, stating that Kohli has "commanded" respect, not demanded it. He explained that Kohli's ability to conquer challenging Australian grounds and decimate their team has earned him the admiration of the Australian public.Chopra contrasted Kohli's achievements with those of current India captain Rohit Sharma, pointing out that despite Rohit's greatness in limited-overs cricket, especially against Australia, he hasn't had the same impact in Test matches Down Under. Rohit has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings in Australia, without a century to his name.Chopra also noted that the widespread recognition of Kohli is reminiscent of the respect shown to Sachin Tendulkar in Australia, where his Test exploits earned him lasting admiration. He emphasized that to earn respect in Australia and England, players must perform exceptionally in Test matches, and Kohli has undoubtedly achieved this.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that Virat Kohli has the experience and ability to overcome his recent batting struggles and perform well in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Kohli has been in poor form with the bat, scoring just 93 runs in six innings during India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home. However, Gavaskar is confident that Kohli will turn things around, especially considering his exceptional record in Australia."Yes, I do [believe he will turn things around]," Gavaskar said in an interview with Star Sports. "That's because he hasn't got runs against New Zealand. He'll be very, very hungry."Kohli has a strong record in Australia, having scored 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. He has also scored six centuries and four fifties Down Under."Even in that Adelaide Test match, where in the second innings we got out for 36, in the first innings, Kohli had got 70 plus if I recall correctly," Gavaskar said. "So, all the times he has played in Adelaide, he has got runs."Gavaskar suggested that if Kohli can survive the initial few balls of his innings and calm his nerves, he will be able to score big runs."Before Adelaide, it's Perth. He got one of the finest centuries at Perth in 2018-19. Terrific, terrific 100," Gavaskar said. "So, when you have got runs under your belt on certain grounds, you just feel a little bit confident."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series kicks off on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, a day-night affair, is scheduled from December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground is set for December 26 to 30, followed by the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.