Cricket

India's quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Test series triumph in Australia begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. After their historic victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21, Rohit Sharma's team faces a formidable challenge in a five-Test series, the first since 1991-92.India's bowling attack, boasting the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravichandran Ashwin, is expected to play a pivotal role. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes India has the firepower to conquer Australia once again."India's pace attack will be where they predominantly win that series," Watson said. "They've got the firepower to be able to do it, but to be able to do it five Test matches in a row in Australia, they'll have to rotate them as well."Watson acknowledged that India's spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja may not be as effective in Australia as they are in other parts of the world. However, he emphasized that their skill and experience will still pose a significant threat to the Australian batters.India's batting lineup, featuring Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and rising stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, is expected to provide a stern test for the hosts. Watson believes India's attacking approach could put pressure on the Australian bowlers."With the calibre of batters that India have got and the skill they've got, there's no reason why they can't combine that, putting pressure on the bowlers, score quickly but also not make mistakes," he said.Watson warned that Australia will need to be at their best to overcome India's formidable team. "The last time that they met in Australia, India played very, very well. They will have their confidence from that last tour," he said."But just knowing the firepower that India do have with the bat and the ball and how they continue to come together, Australia are going to have to be at their very, very best to be able to win that series."After the Perth opener, India will face Australia in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Nasser Hussain's Masterstroke: The Only Test Stumping of Sachin Tendulkar's Illustrious CareerIn the annals of cricket history, the name Sachin Tendulkar stands tall as a batting maestro whose mastery of spin and unwavering composure were legendary. However, even the greatest of players are not immune to the occasional lapse, and it was during England's 2001 tour of India that former England captain Nasser Hussain orchestrated the only Test stumping of Tendulkar's 200-Test career.The setting was the third Test at Bengaluru, where Tendulkar, renowned for his ability to negotiate spin with ease, was approaching a century. Hussain, recognizing the need for an unconventional approach to dismiss the Indian legend, devised a clever strategy.With Tendulkar well-set at the crease on 90, Hussain brought left-arm spinner Ashley Giles into the attack. Giles was instructed to bowl a defensive line well outside Tendulkar's leg stump, a tactic designed to limit his scoring options and force him into an error.Frustrated by the lack of scoring opportunities, Tendulkar eventually decided to charge down the wicket and break the shackles. In his attempt to play a more aggressive shot, Tendulkar moved out of his crease to meet the ball, but Giles had applied just enough turn to keep it away from his bat.Wicketkeeper James Foster, alert to the moment, reacted swiftly. He gathered the ball cleanly and whipped off the bails, leaving Tendulkar stranded outside his crease. It was a moment of precise execution by both Giles and Foster, capitalizing on Tendulkar's momentary lapse.The dismissal became iconic, as it was the first and only time Tendulkar was stumped in his 200-Test career. The clever bowling and strategic brilliance of Giles, combined with the team's plan, led to one of the rarest dismissals in cricket history.

England's 2019 World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan, has heaped praise on India's impressive victory against Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur. Despite rain and a wet outfield disrupting play for over two days, Rohit Sharma's team emerged victorious by seven wickets, showcasing their aggressive approach with both bat and ball.Morgan lauded India's aggressive style of play, describing them as masters of their home conditions. India's last home Test series defeat came in 2012 against England, and they have remained unbeaten in home Test series ever since.Morgan believes that if India can replicate their Kanpur performance in Australia, they will pose a significant challenge to the hosts. "If they go to Australia and play in that manner, a big part of that series will lie in the balance on the fitness of Nathan Lyon and how they play (him)," Morgan said. "If they take that mindset into playing Nathan Lyon like that, it asks a lot of questions of Australia."Morgan also acknowledged India's hunger and desire to win, which he believes sets them apart. "They have to be considered one of the greatest in their own conditions," he said. "What makes them so good is their hunger and desire to want to win. Their attitude towards that they never take for granted."After their 2-0 whitewash of Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand in a three-Test series. Following that, the Test team will travel to Australia for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will feature five Tests. India has a strong record against Australia in the traditional format, having beaten them convincingly at home and in their own backyard in the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series.

Salman Agha's heroics propelled Pakistan to a commanding position on Day 2 of the first Test against England in Multan. The 30-year-old batsman played a pivotal role in Pakistan's charge, scoring an unbeaten 104 off 119 balls to guide his team past the 560-mark.Agha's innings was not without controversy, however. During one of his sixes off Jack Leach, a contentious decision by the third umpire, Chris Gaffaney, sparked debate. As Agha went after Leach, Chris Woakes, stationed at long-off, dived back to catch the ball on the ropes. However, Woakes' momentum carried him outside the boundary line before he threw the ball back into play. Upon jumping back to complete the catch, Gaffaney ruled that Woakes' right foot was grounded when he made contact with the ball, deeming it a six.The decision divided the cricket world, with many questioning the validity of the call. Replays showed that Woakes' foot appeared to be in the air when he caught the ball, but the third umpire's ruling stood.Despite the controversy, Agha continued to dominate the English bowlers. He reached his eighth Test fifty with a flurry of boundaries, including 10 fours and two sixes. His partnership with Saud Shakeel added an invaluable 57 runs for the seventh wicket, further solidifying Pakistan's position.Earlier in the day, Agha had survived a close call when Woakes lobbed the ball from behind the boundary line and caught it inside the ground. However, the third umpire ruled that Woakes' foot touched the ground beyond the rope, giving Agha a six.Agha's century marked a significant milestone in his career, as he surpassed 1,000 runs in his 15th Test. His innings was a testament to his resilience and determination, as he weathered the English bowlers' attack and played a crucial role in Pakistan's dominance.

Pakistan continued to dominate England in the second Test in Multan, extending their first-innings lead to 397 runs at lunch on day two. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 67, while Salman Ali was yet to score.Naseem Shah, who resumed his role as nightwatchman, played a crucial role in Pakistan's progress. He scored his highest score in any format, 33 from 81 balls, and frustrated England's bowlers for over 90 minutes. Naseem hit three sixes during his partnership of 64 with Shakeel, ensuring that England had no quick route back into the game.England's only successes with the ball came through Brydon Carse, who dismissed Naseem, and Jack Leach, who removed Mohammad Rizwan for a duck. Pakistan added 69 runs in the session but lost Rizwan just before the interval.England had taken three wickets in the final session on day one, including that of Babar Azam. However, Naseem's resistance and Shakeel's steady accumulation have put Pakistan in a strong position.Shakeel, who has now scored 10 50-plus scores in 13 Tests, is looking to build on his half-century and guide Pakistan to a match-defining first-innings total. England, on the other hand, will need to find a way to break through Pakistan's stubborn batting lineup and regain control of the match.

Sam Curran, the 26-year-old all-rounder, has expressed his disappointment at being overlooked for a Test recall despite Ben Stokes' injury. Curran, who was named Player of the Final and Tournament in England's T20 World Cup triumph in 2021, feels he has not been given a clear role in white-ball cricket and does not "fit the mould" of what England is looking for under Brendon McCullum.Curran's struggles in England's T20 title defense in the Caribbean earlier this year, where he took three wickets at 38.33 and batted for a total of 11 balls in five matches, have not helped his cause. He has also not featured in the ODI format since December 2023.In red-ball cricket, Curran's last Test appearance came against India in August 2021. He believes his physical limitations, particularly his height and pace, may be working against him.Despite his impressive record of contributing to winning causes, with 16 victories in his 24 Test caps, Curran has been unable to break into McCullum's England team. He acknowledges that Stokes' status as England's senior all-rounder is a factor, but also suspects that his physical attributes are not in line with the current trend towards taller, faster bowlers.Curran's omission from the recent Test series against Sri Lanka was particularly disappointing for him. He had hoped to use Stokes' injury as an opportunity to regain his place in the team.However, England's eight-match tour of the Caribbean offers Curran a chance to showcase his abilities. With several multi-format stars absent, he may have the opportunity to bat up the order and play a more central role.Curran remains determined to prove his worth and earn a place in England's Ashes squad and future Champions Trophy victory. He believes that scoring runs, taking wickets, and winning games for England or his franchises is the only way to achieve his goals.

Pakistan's Test skipper Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique etched their names into the history books on the opening day of the first Test against England in Multan. On a grassy surface that belied its dryness, the duo forged an indelible partnership that shattered records and tested England's inexperienced bowlers to their limits.After Pakistan lost young opener Saim Ayub early to Gus Atkinson, Masood and Shafique embarked on a sensational 253-run stand for the second wicket. Their partnership became the fourth-highest for the second wicket in Pakistan Test cricket history, surpassing the previous record held by the legendary duo of Mushtaq Mohammad and Zaheer Abbas.Masood played the role of aggressor, scoring at a strike rate of 100 for much of his innings. Shafique, on the other hand, adopted a more cautious approach, especially when England resorted to a barrage of short balls in the second session.The record-breaking partnership came to an end after both players began to show signs of cramping up. Shafique's tired shot in Atkinson's over resulted in his dismissal for 102(184). Masood soon followed suit, caught by Jack Leach after misjudging a tossed-up delivery. He departed with a score of 151(177).The 253-run partnership was the second-highest ever witnessed at the Multan cricket stadium in Test format, behind only the iconic 336-run stand between India's Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. It was also the first time in five years that England had conceded a 250-plus runs partnership in Test cricket.Masood and Shafique's record-tumbling stand set the tone for Pakistan's innings and gave them a commanding position in the match. Their partnership showcased their resilience, determination, and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. It will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most memorable partnerships in Pakistan Test cricket history.

Mukesh Kumar, a rising star in Indian cricket, has emerged as a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Despite being one of only two Indian male pacers to debut in all three international formats in the same series, Kumar has remained grounded and focused on his performances.After a remarkable tour of Australia in 2020-21, where he was part of the historic Test series win, Kumar has continued to impress with his consistent performances. In the recent Duleep Trophy, he claimed 15 wickets, second only to Anshul Kamboj's 16. His five-wicket haul for Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champion Mumbai further solidified his credentials.While Australia is considered a daunting prospect for many Indian Test cricketers, Kumar is unfazed. He believes that playing for India was his ultimate goal, and touring other countries is a matter of pride. He is eager to bowl in the challenging conditions Down Under and prove his worth.Kumar's humble upbringing in Kakarkund, Bihar, has instilled in him a deep appreciation for the game. He spent countless hours practicing, regardless of the quality of the pitch or the opposition. This unwavering dedication has paid off, as he has become a reliable performer for Bengal, Delhi Capitals, and the Indian national team.Despite his success, Kumar remains grounded and focused on his goals. He understands that selection is a competitive process, but he is confident in his abilities. He believes that if he continues to perform well, he will eventually earn a place in the Test squad.Kumar's journey is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. He has overcome challenges and remained true to his passion for cricket. As he prepares for the potential opportunity to represent India in Australia, Mukesh Kumar is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.

Babar Azam's struggles in Test cricket continued unabated as the former Pakistan captain once again failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to silence his critics during the first Test against England in Multan on Monday.Despite Pakistan's strong showing on Day 1, with Shan Masood (151) and Abdullah Shafique (102) putting up a mammoth 253-run stand, Babar failed to capitalize on a comfortable position, scoring only 30 off 71 balls before being trapped lbw by England's Chris Woakes in the final session of the day.Woakes set him up brilliantly, beating him on both the outside and inside edges before delivering a full-length ball that nipped in just enough to hit Babar in front of the stumps. Babar reviewed the decision, hoping for a reprieve, but ball-tracking showed it was crashing into leg stump.The dismissal extended Babar's poor run in Test cricket, leaving fans disappointed once again. What added salt to the wound was the reaction of fans in the stadium. Several spectators were caught on camera sleeping during Babar's innings, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.Fans expressed their frustration online, trolling the Pakistan skipper for his continued lacklustre performances.Despite Babar forging a 61-run partnership with Saud Shakeel, his inability to convert starts into big scores is becoming a pattern that has fueled criticism, especially given Pakistan's dominance earlier in the day.Pakistan still ended Day 1 in a commanding position at 328/4, thanks to Masood and Shafique's heroics. But with every failure, the pressure mounts on Babar to regain his form and silence the growing voices of doubt.