Cricket

Sanju Samson, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has expressed his ardent desire to establish himself as an all-format player for the national team. In an exclusive interview, Samson revealed his aspirations to play Test cricket and his belief in his ability to succeed in the red-ball format."I believe I have the skill-set to succeed in red-ball cricket," Samson asserted. "I don't want to be restricted to just white-ball cricket. I desire to play Tests for India."Samson's determination stems from the support he has received from the Indian team management. During the recent Bangladesh series, he was given the opportunity to open the batting, a role he embraced with aplomb. "I was told three weeks in advance that I would be playing as an opener against Bangladesh," Samson said. "I was mentally prepared for the new role."The 28-year-old's confidence was further boosted by his century in the Duleep Trophy, a tournament that featured some of the best bowlers in the country. "The century in the Duleep Trophy has given me a lot of confidence," Samson admitted.Samson's journey to the national team has been marked by both highs and lows. He has been praised for his exceptional batting skills, but has also faced criticism for his inconsistency. However, he remains undeterred and is determined to prove his worth in all formats of the game."I believe in playing fearless cricket and not shying away from taking the odd risk," Samson said. "It was my dream to hit five sixes in a match, and I was in my zone that day and it came off."Samson's desire to play Test cricket is a testament to his ambition and his belief in his own abilities. As he continues to develop and mature as a player, it is likely that he will get his chance to represent India in the longest format of the game.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has set social media ablaze with his exceptional fielding skills in the lead-up to the highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand. A recent video showcases Kohli's remarkable reflexes and dedication as he engages in intense slip-catching drills alongside KL Rahul.During the practice session, Kohli displayed his agility and precision by pulling off a stunning low catch to his right, eliciting laughter from both players. The video highlights the focused preparation of India's key players as they gear up for the three-match Test series, commencing on October 16 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Kohli and Rahul, both eager to regain their peak form, have demonstrated their commitment to fielding excellence, leaving no stone unturned in their quest to maintain India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.However, the team's preparations encountered a setback as heavy rain washed out India's practice session on Tuesday morning. With forecasts predicting continued rainfall throughout the week, the weather could significantly impact the series opener.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert across parts of Karnataka, warning of potential disruptions during the first two days of the match. The weather could play a crucial role, especially considering recent matches. India's previous Test in Kanpur against Bangladesh was marred by rain delays but ultimately resulted in a home victory.New Zealand, on the other hand, faced similar challenges during their tour of the subcontinent, with their scheduled game against Afghanistan in Greater Noida abandoned due to poor drainage.India enters the series with momentum, having secured a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, while New Zealand aims to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka. The hosts currently lead the WTC table, while the Kiwis, the reigning 2021 WTC champions, are eager to regain their footing.

Rohit Sharma Lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal's Rapid Adaptation to International CricketAhead of the highly anticipated Test series against New Zealand, India's skipper Rohit Sharma has heaped praise on young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal for his impressive transition to international cricket.Sharma, who leads India in both Tests and ODIs, expressed his admiration for Jaiswal's quick adjustment to the rigors of international competition. "I'm not surprised by how Yashasvi has adapted to international cricket," Sharma said. "He has immense talent and the ability to perform in all conditions. Despite his young age, he has shown remarkable composure and adaptability in different situations."The Indian captain highlighted Jaiswal's potential for greatness, stating, "It's crucial how he manages himself in the next couple of years. He has the potential to become a game-changer for the team. His success in domestic and Under-19 cricket, where he has consistently excelled, is a testament to his abilities. He has already showcased his capabilities in his short international career and has done exceptionally well."Sharma also emphasized the advantage of having a left-handed batter in the team. "Being a left-hander is a valuable asset for the team," he said. "He's an aggressive batsman who is always eager to learn and improve his game. His mindset is commendable, always striving to enhance his skills and not resting on his laurels. This attitude is a great foundation for him, and we have found a valuable player in Yashasvi."Expressing his optimism for Jaiswal's continued success, Sharma said, "Hopefully, he can continue to build on his impressive form and maintain his consistency. We have high hopes for him, and we believe he has the potential to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket."

Test cricket, the epitome of the sport, stands as a testament to the true essence of the game. Despite the surge in popularity of limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s, Test cricket remains the format that embodies the complete spectrum of cricket.In India, Test cricket holds a profound significance, deeply rooted in history and culture. Even amidst the rise of shorter formats, especially with the advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Test cricket continues to be a cornerstone of Indian cricket.As Team India prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a video showcasing the team's practice session. The video features a voiceover by Ravichandran Ashwin, who eloquently articulates the significance of Test cricket."Test cricket is constantly about adaptability," Ashwin says. "You can't start Day 5 like how you start Day 1. Every day you need to be able to adapt along with the conditions. That's why they say Test cricket is the pinnacle of this particular sport!"The video concludes with a headshot of a Team India helmet and the caption, "WE ARE BACK!"New Zealand's first tour of India was in 1955-56, and their most recent tour was in 2021-22. However, the Kiwis have yet to secure a Test series victory in India.The second and third Tests of the series will be held in Pune and Mumbai, commencing on October 24 and November 1, respectively.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) pitch curator, Tony Hemming, blaming him for the team's humiliating defeat in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi.Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, took to his YouTube channel to express his frustration over the pitch, which he described as "benign" and "unfit for Test cricket.""We thought the ball would spin on the second day, but it didn't happen even on the fifth day," Ali said. "The curator is from Australia, and he has been a part of the ICC as well. But he doesn't know how to prepare a pitch."Ali pointed to India as an example of how pitches should be prepared, saying that the Indian curators tailor the surfaces to suit their team's strengths."Look at India," Ali said. "The pitch is prepared the way they want to. They want to play spin, so they make the pitch spin. They want to play fast bowling, so they make the pitch fast."Ali's criticism comes after Pakistan's spinners failed to make an impact in the first Test. England's Shoaib Bashir managed to take just one wicket across both innings, while experienced Jack Leach relied on his skills rather than the surface to prove his effectiveness.Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled 35 overs, spilt 174 runs at an economy of 4.97 and went wicketless before being treated in the hospital after being taken ill. Saim Ayub and Samlan Ali Agha tasted success, but it came at the cost of leaking runs heavily.With Pakistan naming a spin-laden playing XI for the second Test in Multan, the pitch is expected to help out the spinners. However, Ali is skeptical, saying that he doesn't expect the surface to be any different from the one in Rawalpindi."I don't think the pitch in Multan will be any different," Ali said. "It will be the same flat, lifeless pitch. We will have to rely on our batsmen to score runs and our bowlers to take wickets on their own."

New Zealand's Test series opener against India in Bengaluru has been dealt a significant blow with the absence of their star batsman Kane Williamson. The 34-year-old is still recovering from a groin strain sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.Williamson's absence is a major setback for the Kiwis, who are looking to make a strong start to their India tour. The experienced campaigner has been in excellent form this year, amassing 618 runs in 12 innings, including three centuries and two half-centuries. His leadership and experience will be sorely missed in the opening game.Williamson's record in India is not particularly impressive, with an average of 33.53 in 15 innings. However, his absence as a leader will be keenly felt by the Black Caps. Tom Latham has taken over as captain, but he will be without the guidance of Williamson, who has a wealth of experience playing in India.Williamson made his Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in 2010, scoring a century against a formidable attack featuring Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. His absence presents an opportunity for Mark Chapman to potentially make his Test debut. Chapman has played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand and has enjoyed success while touring India with the New Zealand A side.The mouth-watering series gets underway in Bengaluru, with the second Test in Pune and the final Test in Mumbai. India will be keen to win their home series against New Zealand to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) before their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.New Zealand, on the other hand, are yet to win a Test series in India and will be determined to put up a strong showing against Rohit Sharma and Co.

The highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand, scheduled to commence on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, faces the threat of rain interruptions. Weather forecasts predict consistent cloud cover and thunderstorms, with a high probability of precipitation throughout the five-day match.According to local weather reports, Bengaluru is expected to witness "generally cloudy sky with heavy rain" from October 16 to 18. While the forecast slightly improves for the final two days, rain remains a possibility. This inclement weather could force frequent stoppages and impact the flow of the game.India, fresh off a 2-0 Test series sweep against Bangladesh, currently lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged his team to avoid complacency against a formidable New Zealand side."New Zealand is a different challenge altogether. They have high-quality players who can hurt us. We respect them, but we don't fear anyone. We need to be focused from the first ball," Gambhir emphasized.India's Test schedule includes eight more matches before the conclusion of the 2024-25 WTC cycle. After the three-Test series against New Zealand, they will embark on a highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia, which will feature a five-Test series for the first time.The WTC final is scheduled to take place at Lord's in June 2024. India's performance in the upcoming Test matches will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the final.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, has been facing intense scrutiny over his struggles against spin bowling. In the past 28 Test matches, he has been dismissed by spinners on 21 occasions, primarily by off-spinners. Despite the mounting criticism, Kohli remains determined to rediscover his form.At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Kohli first showcased his fourth-innings heroics against New Zealand in 2012, he spent considerable time facing spinners in the nets. While there were moments of hesitation, he also displayed his trademark cuts and hoists over the infield, executed with impeccable footwork.Kohli's comfort at the Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from his early success in red-ball cricket. In 2012, he scored a century and an unbeaten 51 against New Zealand, playing a crucial role in India's victory. However, in recent years, he has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, including Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.The recent series against Bangladesh further highlighted Kohli's vulnerability against spin. In four innings, he managed only 99 runs and was dismissed by off-spin twice. His tendency to play early or against the spin has contributed to his struggles.Despite the setbacks, Kohli has found support in head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing players and selecting the best playing XI, regardless of their recent form. He also highlighted Kohli's hunger to excel, stating that he is "as hungry as when he made his debut."As Kohli looks to regain his form, he is approaching the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. While the 10,000-run milestone is already being discussed, Gambhir believes that Kohli's focus is on scoring runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, starting October 15. Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred, has been named in England's playing XI for the second game at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The 33-year-old all-rounder has been bowling and batting without any discomfort in the nets in the lead-up to the match. In his absence, Ollie Pope led England to a comprehensive victory in the series opener last week.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made some significant changes to their team ahead of the second Test, dropping former captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. When asked about these changes, Stokes declined to comment, stating that it was an internal matter for Pakistan cricket.Stokes missed the three-match home series against Sri Lanka and last week's first Test, which England won by an innings. Durham seamer Matthew Potts also returns to the side for the first time since the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested.With England dropping two pacers, Stokes confirmed that he will be "playing as a third seamer" alongside Potts and Brydon Carse, who impressed on his debut in Multan.Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket's 147-year history to lose by an innings after posting a 550-plus total in their first innings. Under pressure to level the series, Pakistan have named three frontline spinners in their team.They have made four changes, including bringing in batter Kamran Ghulam for his debut.