Cricket

Australia's opening batsman conundrum intensified on Saturday as teenager Sam Konstas staked his claim with an unbeaten 73, while his rivals faltered ahead of the first Test against India.Konstas, 19, seized his opportunity in the final match of the Australia A series against India A, guiding his team to a six-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His composed innings, which included seven fours and a six, came after a challenging start to the series, where he had managed only 16, 0, and 3 in his previous three innings.Konstas' resurgence reminded selectors of his potential, having impressed with consecutive centuries for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. However, his recent struggles for Australia A had raised doubts about his readiness to replace David Warner as Australia's opener.Meanwhile, Konstas' competitors failed to capitalize on their chances. Nathan McSweeney, who had emerged as a frontrunner with scores of 39 and an unbeaten 88 in the previous match, could only manage 14 and 25 at the MCG. Marcus Harris, hoping to add to his 14 Test caps, followed up his solid 74 on Friday by falling for a golden duck in the second innings. Cameron Bancroft, whose hopes of reviving his Test career were already fading after poor performances in Mackay, also suffered a golden duck.With the first of five Tests against India beginning on November 22 in Perth, Australia's selectors now face a difficult decision about who will open alongside Usman Khawaja. Konstas' strong performance has thrown a spanner in the works, while McSweeney, Harris, and Bancroft have failed to cement their positions.

With India's upcoming five-match Test series against Australia looming, the form of star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has become a major talking point. The duo's recent struggles have raised concerns after India's embarrassing 0-3 whitewash at home to New Zealand.Rohit managed a mere 91 runs in six innings, while Kohli fared slightly better with 93 runs as India suffered a humiliating defeat. These poor performances have sparked calls for the duo to be dropped from the Test squad.However, former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Rohit and Kohli's recent slump is primarily due to mental fatigue, evident in their shot selection."Take nothing away from New Zealand, but it tells me India are so fatigued. Some of their shot selection, the use of bowlers, and even Rohit coming out and saying he wasn't at his best - I just think it was mental fatigue. They've played so much cricket without a break, but it'll be a little kick up the backside for them," Clarke said on ESPN's Around the Wicket Podcast.Clarke expressed confidence that Rohit and Kohli can regain their form if they arrive in Australia refreshed."They know they've played well out here in Australia, and they'll still come here with plenty of talent and that self-belief, but hopefully fresh. That's the key for the Indian players. Virat Kohli - you can't be that good for such a long period of time and just turn the tap off. So once he freshens up, and Rohit Sharma the same, you'll see the best of them," he added.Meanwhile, India captain Rohit is likely to miss the first Test against Australia, scheduled to be played in Perth from November 22.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:* Rohit Sharma (C)* Jasprit Bumrah (VC)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Shubman Gill* Virat Kohli* KL Rahul* Rishabh Pant (WK)* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (WK)* R Ashwin* R Jadeja* Mohd. Siraj* Akash Deep* Prasidh Krishna* Harshit Rana* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Washington SundarReserves:* Mukesh Kumar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel Ahmed

India's remarkable 12-year winning streak on home soil came to an abrupt end with a clean sweep by New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series. This unprecedented defeat has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity and raised questions about the team's future.The streak, which began in 2013, saw India dominate visiting teams at home, winning 42 and losing just four of 53 Tests. This dominance was built on a formidable spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who exploited the turning tracks prepared for home matches.However, the New Zealand series exposed some weaknesses in India's approach. The pitches, which were once considered fortresses for the spinners, failed to provide the same level of assistance, allowing the Kiwi batters to score freely. Additionally, India's batting lineup, which had been the backbone of their success, struggled against the disciplined bowling of the visitors.The defeat has raised concerns about the transition that India is facing. Ashwin and Jadeja, both in their late 30s, are nearing the end of their careers. The team's search for their successors has not yet yielded promising results. Similarly, the batting lineup, which has relied heavily on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, needs to find new stars to carry the mantle.The New Zealand series has served as a wake-up call for India. The team must now reassess its strategies and identify the areas that need improvement. The transition to a new generation of players will be challenging, but it is essential for India to maintain its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has advised Pakistan's Babar Azam to emulate Virat Kohli's approach to regain his lost form. Babar has been struggling for runs in recent Tests, prompting his omission from the last two matches against England.Ponting believes that Babar should consider taking a break from cricket to recharge, similar to what Kohli did earlier this year. Kohli's break proved beneficial, as he returned to form with a match-winning knock in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final."The biggest challenge is how they get Babar back into their side. They've got to find a way to get Babar back into form and back into their (Test) team," Ponting said in the ICC Review.Ponting suggested that Babar may be trying too hard and needs to step away from the game to clear his mind. "Maybe Babar needs to get away for a while and stop trying too hard. Lock the kit bag away for a while, and think about something else and then hopefully come back recharged," he said.Babar's Test record stands at 3,997 runs in 55 matches at an average of 43.92. However, he has not scored a half-century in his last 18 innings, dating back to late 2022.Pakistan's recent Test series victory over England, their first under Shan Masood's captaincy, has raised questions about Babar's future in the team. Ponting believes that Babar remains a world-class player but needs to find a way to rediscover his form."We know at his best he's as good as anyone going around. Hopefully, we get to see that in the back half of his career again," Ponting said.

Marcus Harris, the 32-year-old opener, has expressed his readiness to take on the challenge of opening the batting for Australia in the upcoming first Test against India in Perth. Harris has been in impressive form for Australia A, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.In the final game against India A at the MCG, Harris produced a gritty 74 on a difficult batting surface. Despite the other Test contenders failing to impress, Harris remained composed and played a crucial role in Australia A's innings.Australia's chairman of selectors, George Bailey, was present at the MCG but has yet to confirm the Test squad. However, it is widely expected that Harris and Nathan McSweeney will be included in an expanded squad of 13 players.Harris acknowledged the external pressure surrounding his potential selection but emphasized his readiness to perform if called upon. He highlighted his improved batting form and mental resilience compared to previous seasons.Harris has been the only player in the Australia A squad to open the batting in both matches against India A. He believes that the selectors' decision to have him open in both games may indicate their intentions.Despite the scrutiny and speculation, Harris has remained focused on his performance. He has embraced the media attention and learned from his experiences in the past.Harris has also credited his improved batting technique to the guidance of Victoria coach Chris Rogers. Rogers has emphasized the importance of rotating the strike and scoring with control, rather than relying solely on boundaries.Harris acknowledged the element of luck involved in his innings, but he also emphasized the importance of playing and missing well and edging the ball close to the wicketkeeper. He also benefited from a fortunate not-out decision when he was given the benefit of the doubt on a potential edge.Overall, Marcus Harris is confident in his abilities and believes he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of opening the batting for Australia in the first Test against India.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's recent struggles in the unofficial Test series against Australia A have cast doubt on his readiness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Bengal opener, who was expected to cement his place as a potential opener in the Test series, has failed to make an impact with the bat in his four innings.In the first unofficial Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Easwaran scored just 7 and 12. His performance dipped further in the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first innings and managed only 17 off 31 balls in the second innings.Easwaran's total tally of just 36 runs from four innings reflects a significant missed opportunity for the opener. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22 in Perth, questions are likely to be raised about his readiness for the marquee series.The 29-year-old batter has been waiting in the wings for a spot in India's Test team, but his recent performances have not been encouraging. He will need to find his form quickly if he wants to be considered for a place in the playing XI for the first Test in Perth.

Rohit Sharma's captaincy has come under scrutiny following India's 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The loss has raised questions about his tactical acumen, particularly in the face of pressure to perform in the upcoming series against Australia.New Zealand star Will Young has shed light on how he successfully countered Rohit's tactics during the recent Test series. Young revealed that he and his teammates had learned to master their skills on spin-friendly surfaces during their 2021 tour of India.In the 2023 series, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja attempted to put pressure on Young by blocking the mid-off region. However, Young devised a counter-strategy, targeting full deliveries and hitting them over the top straight."I just felt that if the ball was full enough, I could try to reach it and smother the spin and get it over the top straight," Young explained. "And I had a chat to Daryl Mitchell about it in between overs and he said, 'Yeah, mate, just back yourself.'"Young's success in countering Rohit's tactics forced the Indian captain to change his strategy. The New Zealand batter's adaptability and ability to exploit the opposition's weaknesses highlight the importance of tactical flexibility in modern cricket.As India prepares for the Australia series, Rohit will need to find ways to improve his team's performance and silence the critics. The upcoming tour will be a crucial test of his leadership and tactical acumen.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles on the international stage have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping Rs 21 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Kohli's performances in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand have been far from impressive.In the two-match series, Kohli managed scores of 0, 70, 1, 17, 4, and 1, leading to a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking. He has now slipped down eight places to 22nd, his lowest ranking in over a decade.Kohli's poor form has sparked speculation about his future with the Indian team. Some experts believe that he should consider playing domestic cricket to regain his form, while others suggest that he may need to take a break from international cricket to reassess his game.Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his international career, Kohli recently posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting at a "new chapter" with a "new team." However, the post was later clarified to be related to his business interests, not his cricketing career.Despite the clarification, Kohli's social media post has raised questions about his commitment to the Indian team. Some fans have expressed concern that he may be considering retirement, while others believe that he is simply looking for a fresh start.The lack of domestic cricket has been cited as a contributing factor to Kohli's struggles. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that top players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma should participate in domestic tournaments to regain their form.Kaif pointed out that Rishabh Pant's century in a practice match during the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy helped him earn a place in the Test team and make a significant contribution to India's historic victory in Australia.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he needs to find a way to regain his form if he wants to continue playing at the highest level.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav remains determined to add to his solitary Test cap, despite his impressive T20I credentials. The 34-year-old has been actively participating in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, in an effort to earn a Test recall."When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback," Yadav asserted. "I am playing all the domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don't miss any game. If that [Test comeback] has to happen, it will happen."Yadav also expressed his support for Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who has faced criticism following India's 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand. "In sports, winning and losing are common. Everyone works hard, everyone wants to win," Yadav said. "For me, the most important thing in life is the balance. Whether he's [Rohit] doing well or not, his character does not change. That is one quality which I feel a sportsman should always have."As T20I captain, Yadav has learned valuable lessons from Rohit, particularly in handling youngsters. "I know how he [Rohit] treats the players, what he wants from them. So that route I have also taken because he's been very successful recently," Yadav explained. "I try to replicate that. When I am on the ground, I keep noticing how his body language is, how calm he is under pressure situations, how he talks to the bowlers, how he treats everyone on the field and off the field."Under Yadav's leadership, India has achieved impressive results in T20Is, winning 11 out of 13 matches. Yadav attributes this success to providing his players with freedom and clarity. "You have to understand what's happening around, what's going on in their [the players'] minds and it is very important to give them that comfort," he said. "Everyone has different skillset, and they also want to come out and express themselves. So that freedom is very important when they get onto the field and that is what I try and give."India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes several young players, and Yadav believes they have made his job easier. "They have made my job very easy if you've seen the last two to three series," Yadav said. "I have told them to keep the needs of the team in front, and whatever calls they take, we are here to back them."Despite the bouncy nature of South African pitches, Yadav is confident in India's ability to perform well. "We do play on good bouncy pitches back home in India also. There are quite a few, so it's nothing new for us," he said. "And we played here last year. We know what the conditions are and what the ground and wicket have for us. We have our game plan, we'll back that and are very excited for the series ahead."