Cricket

Australia's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash against India has sparked anticipation, with Aussie opener Usman Khawaja heaping praise on legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Khawaja lauded Ashwin's strategic brilliance and cricketing acumen, acknowledging his ability to stay a step ahead of the game.Ashwin's impressive record against Australia stands as a testament to his prowess. In 22 Test matches, he has claimed 114 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 2.70. His 39 wickets on Australian soil further highlight his dominance.Khawaja's admiration for Ashwin stems from the spinner's ability to anticipate the batsman's moves and set cunning traps. "He is very strategic, he always has a plan," Khawaja remarked. "He always tries to figure it out. He is trying to get ahead of the game, one step ahead of the game, which I respect."The upcoming Border-Gavaskar series promises to be a thrilling contest, with India holding a slight edge over Australia in recent encounters. India has won its last four series against Australia, including two victories Down Under. This has shifted the balance of power in the rivalry, with India now boasting 10 series wins to Australia's five.The series will commence on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18, followed by the customary Boxing Day Test at Melbourne's storied Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.

In a thrilling Test match played in Harare from September 3-7, 2013, Zimbabwe pulled off a remarkable 24-run victory over Pakistan, marking their first Test win against the Asian giants in over a decade.Zimbabwe, batting first, posted a competitive 294 in their first innings, thanks to half-centuries from Brendan Taylor (51) and Hamilton Masakadza (75). Pakistan responded with 230, anchored by Younis Khan's gritty 87, but Zimbabwe held onto a narrow lead.In their second innings, Zimbabwe scored 199, setting Pakistan a target of 264 to chase. Despite Pakistan's formidable batting lineup, they crumbled under pressure in the final innings.Tendai Chatara emerged as Zimbabwe's bowling hero, taking 5 wickets for 61 runs. Pakistan struggled against Zimbabwe's disciplined attack, with only Misbah-ul-Haq showing resilience with a well-fought 79. However, Pakistan were bowled out for 239, falling short by 24 runs.This victory was Zimbabwe's third Test win over Pakistan, following earlier triumphs in 1995 in Harare and in Peshawar in 1998. It also prevented Pakistan from completing a clean sweep of the two-match series, as they had won the first Test by a massive 221 runs.Zimbabwe's stunning victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, and it marked a significant moment in their cricketing history.

Sachin Tendulkar's remarkable cricketing career in Australia is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As an 18-year-old prodigy, Tendulkar arrived in Australia in 1991, already showcasing his batting prowess. His performances against the formidable Australian bowling attack, particularly in the fifth Test at the WACA Ground in Perth, cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.On a notoriously bouncy pitch, Tendulkar faced a relentless barrage from the likes of Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, and Shane Warne. Despite the hostile conditions, Tendulkar displayed an array of shots, including elegant cuts and powerful pulls, to reach his third Test century. His innings of 148 not out was a masterclass in batting, showcasing his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and dominate the best bowlers in the world.Tendulkar's rivalry with Australian legends like Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee added another layer to his legacy. Warne famously described bowling to Tendulkar in India as his "worst nightmare," a testament to the Indian maestro's ability to counterattack even the most skilled bowlers.Tendulkar's performances in Australia solidified his place among cricket's all-time greats. His ability to dominate on challenging pitches earned him immense respect, even among Australian fans. His legacy as one of the greatest batsmen to ever grace the game is forever etched in the annals of cricket history.

India's Test resurgence begins against Bangladesh, with Morne Morkel at the helmIndia's Test team returns to action after a six-month hiatus, facing Bangladesh in a two-match series starting September 19. The series marks the debut of former South African pacer Morne Morkel as India's new bowling coach.Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and Morkel, India's batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, experimented with different nets during their first practice session. The black soil pitch was allocated to spinners, while the pacers took the red soil pitch.The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for its spin-friendly conditions, prompting India to explore their options. The bowling lineup includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel as spin options, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Yash Dayal provide pace.India has also enlisted a group of promising net bowlers, including spinners S Ajith Ram, M Siddharth, and P Vignesh, and pacers Arpit Guleria, Gurnoon Brar, Yudhvir Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Simarjeet Singh, and Gurjapneet Singh.Bangladesh enters the series on a high after their 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan. The series carries significant importance in the World Test Championship (WTC), with India currently leading the table and Bangladesh rising to fourth spot.India faces a grueling 10-match Test season, including a three-Test series against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia later this year. The Bangladesh series will provide a crucial test for Rohit Sharma's side as they prepare for these challenges.

Shreyas Iyer's Duleep Trophy Failure Draws Criticism from Former Pakistan Batter Basit AliIndia batter Shreyas Iyer's dismal performance in the first innings of the Duleep Trophy match against India A has sparked criticism from former Pakistan batter Basit Ali. Iyer, who captained India D, failed to make an impact, getting dismissed for a duck after facing just seven deliveries.Ali expressed disappointment over Iyer's lack of contribution, stating that he "should've scored 100-200 runs." He questioned Iyer's concentration and hunger for Test cricket, suggesting that the batter is more focused on boundaries than the longer format of the game."As a cricketer, it saddens me to see him. If you are getting out in front, your concentration isn't in the game. And especially the red-ball game. He has scored two centuries in the World Cup, he's an IPL-winning captain, he should've scored 100-200 runs here," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali further expressed doubts about Iyer's desire for Test cricket, stating that he lacks the determination required for the format. "Iyer doesn't have the hunger for red-ball cricket anymore. He's only hungry for boundaries. You should prioritize it. If he's thinking he is similar to Virat Kohli after hitting two centuries in World Cup, no, it doesn't happen that way," he added.Iyer's poor performance in the Duleep Trophy comes after a string of subpar performances in the Test format. He has failed to reach the 50-run mark in his previous 13 outings, leading to his exclusion from the Indian Test squad.Ali's criticism highlights the concerns surrounding Iyer's Test credentials. The batter will need to rediscover his form and demonstrate a greater hunger for the longer format if he wants to regain his place in the Indian Test team.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has commenced his tenure with a rigorous training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The session marked the beginning of India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which commences in five days.Gambhir, along with his coaching staff comprising Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach), oversaw the training session under strict secrecy. The media was barred from attending, and no footage was allowed to be captured.The session focused on getting the players back into game mode after a prolonged break following the T20 World Cup triumph in June. Virat Kohli, who arrived from England late on Thursday, was among the first to take to the nets and face the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.With a place in the World Test Championship Final in June 2025 at stake, India faces a challenging schedule of 10 Tests over the next five months. After the two Tests against Bangladesh, they will host New Zealand for a three-Test series, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia.Gambhir aims to secure four wins and a draw from these 10 games to qualify for the WTC Final. For the first five home Tests, he will need to manage the rotation of his pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to play at Chepauk, while Mohammed Shami is on the comeback trail.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal and Bengal's Akash Deep are also in contention for a debut, depending on their performance in practice. Another key decision for the coaching staff is the choice between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan as the No. 5 batter.Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, but his fitness after a recent accident will be closely monitored. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed on his debut against England, provides a capable backup option.Gambhir, known for his demanding nature, will expect his players to perform at their best. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin are all likely to feature in the first Test.

India's impending Test series against Bangladesh presents a historic opportunity for the team to surpass its losses in the format for the first time ever. With 178 wins and 178 defeats in 579 Tests, a victory in Chennai would mark a significant milestone.The shift in India's Test fortunes can be traced back to the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Dhoni's tenure as captain saw a marked improvement in India's overseas performance, while Kohli's reign ushered in an era of dominance with a focus on pace bowling.Kohli's decision to prioritize fast bowlers, alongside former coach Ravi Shastri, transformed India's Test aspirations. The emergence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma as a formidable pace trio gave India the edge in conditions that were once considered unfavorable.Under Kohli's captaincy, India achieved its first Test series win on Australian soil, a testament to the impact of his pace-bowling strategy. His win percentage of 58.82% may fall short of Rohit Sharma's current 62.5%, but his contribution to India's Test resurgence cannot be overstated.While Rohit Sharma's brief tenure as captain has yielded impressive results, it is the legacy of Dhoni and Kohli that has laid the foundation for India's current success in Test cricket. The upcoming series against Bangladesh offers an opportunity to further cement India's dominance and etch their name in the annals of Test history.

New Zealand's Test match against Afghanistan was canceled due to persistent rain and outfield issues, leaving the team disappointed and without any match practice before their upcoming series against Sri Lanka and India. Head coach Gary Stead expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to acclimatize to subcontinent conditions.The one-off Test was not part of the World Test Championship, but Stead emphasized its importance to the team. "Test cricket is very, very dear to the team's hearts," he said. "Every Test you get to play in is a big one."Despite the cancellation, Stead praised Afghanistan's recent achievements in white-ball cricket, including their victory over New Zealand in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage. He welcomed the prospect of playing more Tests against Afghanistan in the future."Afghanistan have knocked just about every top team in the world over now," Stead said. "They're certainly a force and becoming more and more of a force in world cricket."New Zealand's remaining eight Tests in the World Test Championship cycle will be played in Asia, and Stead is confident in the team's ability to adapt to the conditions. "We've been there once in the past, and we are desperate to get there again," he said of the World Test Championship final."The conditions that we face in Galle will be, I'm sure, different to Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai when we come back here again," Stead added. "So it's still about adapting to the different surfaces."

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has sparked a debate over Steve Smith's batting position in the Test team ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Smith has been promoted to the top of the order following David Warner's retirement, but his performance as an opener has been inconsistent.Khawaja believes that Smith should return to his previous position at No. 4, arguing that it is his "best spot" and that it provides the best balance for the team. He pointed out that Australia's scores have declined since the lineup change, with the team surpassing 300 runs only once in the eight innings following Warner's retirement."I feel like the best balance for our team is (Marnus) Labuschagne three, Smith four," Khawaja said. "I feel like that's his best spot."Smith's individual performance as an opener has also been underwhelming, with just one fifty in eight innings and an average of 28.50, compared to his impressive average of 61.51 at No. 4.Khawaja's comments have reignited the debate over Smith's ideal batting position. Some experts believe that he is best suited to the top of the order, where he can set the tone for the innings and take advantage of the new ball. Others argue that his experience and technique make him more valuable in the middle order, where he can anchor the innings and guide the younger players.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will feature the exciting day-night format under the lights at Adelaide Oval, while the third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane. The customary Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the fifth and final Test will serve as the series climax at the Sydney Cricket Ground.