Cricket

India's Test Performances at the WACA and Perth StadiumThe WACA Ground in Perth, Australia, is renowned for its fast and bouncy pitches, posing a formidable challenge for visiting batsmen. Indian batsmen, accustomed to slower and lower pitches at home, have faced significant hurdles at the WACA.India's first Test at the WACA in 1977 ended in a narrow two-wicket defeat. Despite Chetan Chauhan's 88 and Mohinder Amarnath's 90 in the first innings, Australia's Tony Mann and Peter Toohey guided their team to victory.In 1992, a young Sachin Tendulkar etched his name in history with a magnificent century at the WACA. Facing a formidable Australian bowling attack, Tendulkar's innings showcased his exceptional talent and resilience. However, India lost the match by 300 runs.India's first Test victory at the WACA came in 2008. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar laid the foundation with solid knocks, while Ishant Sharma and RP Singh bowled superbly to restrict Australia. VVS Laxman's 79 in the second innings set up a challenging target, which Australia failed to chase down.In 2012, India suffered a heavy defeat by an innings and 37 runs at the WACA. Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle wreaked havoc with the ball, dismissing India twice for under 200 runs.In 2018, the first Test at the new Perth Stadium resulted in a 146-run defeat for India. Despite Virat Kohli's century, Australia's Nathan Lyon and Mohammed Shami's six-wicket haul proved too much for the visitors.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, face a crucial test in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. After a disappointing home series against New Zealand, where both players struggled for form, their futures in the Test format are under scrutiny.Rohit, who became India's first captain to suffer a whitewash at home in Tests, has managed only 91 runs in three matches against New Zealand. His dismissals have raised concerns about his technique against pace bowling, particularly his tendency to mistime pull shots.Virat, who turned 36 recently, is enduring a dismal year in red-ball cricket, averaging just 22.72 in six games. The Australian tour, where he has a strong record, could be a make-or-break moment for the former India captain.Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Virat can overcome his current struggles. "The best thing about Virat is the determination and the hunger to achieve more," Srikkanth said. "Add to that his enviable record in Australia and I think he will bounce back strongly."However, the situation is more complex for Rohit. Srikkanth suggests that Rohit may need to adjust his batting style to succeed in Australia. "It is important to give yourself a little more time in the middle, especially in Australia, before going for the shots," he said.Rohit's captaincy is also under pressure. If India performs poorly in Australia, the blame will likely fall on him. Sunil Gavaskar has even suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should take over as captain for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable for the first Test.Srikkanth warns Rohit that his strength can become his weakness in Australia. "The Aussies have seen that Rohit isn't at his best with the pull shot early on in his innings," he said. "They are going to bowl slightly short at a good pace on bouncy tracks to Rohit, asking him to go for his favorite stroke."Rohit and Virat must justify the belief in their abilities and keep the Indian flag flying high in Australia. Their performances in the upcoming series will have a significant impact on their futures in the Test format.

India's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the team's batting approach and the role of the batting coach. Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized the Indian batting coach for failing to guide the young batsmen in the nuances of Test cricket.India's 0-3 whitewash at home was largely attributed to their inability to handle spin bowling on turning pitches. Kiwi spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel wreaked havoc, taking 13 and 11 wickets respectively. Basit Ali believes that the Indian batsmen were too aggressive and failed to adapt to the conditions."Who is India's batting coach, not able to advise the batsmen that you approach Tests session by session? Trying to score 10-12 runs every over is not cricket," said Basit.He pointed out that young batsmen like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal threw away their wickets after getting starts. "Is there no one to tell players like Jaiswal and Gill that when you reach 30-35, then don't get out playing loose shots, try to play out the session? Because only a set batsman can be successful (on such tracks), at that time he is your Bradman," said Basit.Basit also questioned the decision to prepare turning pitches for the series. "Jaiswal scored 200 against England. Those were better pitches. (Rahul) Dravid has a better mind (as a coach) compared to Gautam. Dravid used to advise for four-day pitches, so that a Test match goes at least until the fourth day. Let it turn from the third, fourth day, fifth day," he said."But you guys are asking for wickets (that turn) from the first day, where someone who is not a regular spinner will get turn even if he bowls straight. Santner took 13 wickets in one Test, something he may not have done in a series of five ODIs," he added.India's batting coach is currently unclear, with assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate not having a specific role in that area. Basit believes that the lack of a dedicated batting coach has contributed to the team's struggles.India will face a tough challenge in their upcoming tour of Australia, where they will play five Test matches. The first Test begins on November 22 in Perth.

India's humiliating clean sweep at home against New Zealand has sparked a heated debate over the quality of pitches and the form of the team's star batters. The historic loss has raised questions about the team's preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.After dominating the Kiwis in the first Test, India suffered a shocking collapse in the second and third Tests. The visitors' spinners, led by Ajaz Patel, exploited the turning tracks to devastating effect, dismissing India for 121 in the third Test.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended the team's batters, arguing that the pitches were designed to assist spinners and that any bowler could have achieved similar results. He pointed out that previous generations of batters never played on such challenging surfaces.However, fans and experts have criticized the Indian batters for their poor technique and lack of application against spin. They argue that the team's reliance on individual brilliance has cost them dearly.Captain Rohit Sharma has taken full responsibility for the team's debacle, acknowledging that they made several mistakes and were outplayed by New Zealand. He has vowed to address the team's shortcomings before the Australia tour.The clean sweep has raised concerns about India's chances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team will need to find a way to counter Australia's formidable pace attack and adapt to the bouncy pitches Down Under.The loss has also highlighted the need for India to develop a more balanced batting lineup. While Rishabh Pant has been a consistent performer, the team needs other batters to step up and contribute.As India prepares for the Australia tour, the team will be under immense pressure to bounce back from this disappointing result. They will need to find a way to improve their batting, bowling, and fielding if they want to challenge the world's top-ranked Test team.

Nathan McSweeney's impressive performance in the first four-day match against India A has solidified his position as a leading contender for the vacant opening spot in Australia's Test side. The Australia A captain will open alongside Marcus Harris in the second match at the MCG, a clear indication of their status as frontrunners.McSweeney's standout performance in Mackay, where he guided Australia A to victory with an unbeaten 88, has earned him high praise. "I'm really confident in my game," he said. "I'm progressing and I'm batting some of the best innings I've played."The 24-year-old has never opened in his first-class career, but his recent form has made him a viable option. Another possibility is for him to bat at his usual No. 3 spot, with Marnus Labuschagne moving up the order."You could do," said captain Pat Cummins. "Maybe once we we kind of start discussing who's in the side, then you start looking at the batting order."The Australia A XI for the second match includes three specialist openers: Harris, McSweeney, and Cameron Bancroft. Harris' 36 in the second innings was the highest score among them.The selectors will use the second match to gather final information before announcing the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series. Australia will name a 13-player squad with two batting spots up for grabs.McSweeney's strong performance has put him in a prime position to earn a Test debut. If selected, he will be eager to prove his worth and cement his place in the Australian team.

Indian cricket team's star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced intense criticism following their team's dismal performance in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. Both players failed to deliver with the bat, contributing to India's 0-3 series defeat.Rohit Sharma, who captained the side, managed only 91 runs in the series, averaging a meager 15.16. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, scored 93 runs at an average of 15.50. Their poor form has raised concerns among fans and experts alike.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has been particularly critical of the duo, comparing their struggles to those of Pakistan's Babar Azam. "After Babar, Rohit and Virat are also in the same situation, poor form," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali pointed out specific instances where Rohit's footwork was lacking, such as when he missed two deliveries and then stepped out to hit a four. "This shows that his feet are not moving, form is not good," Ali said.Ali also emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players like Kohli and Rohit, who have been exempted from playing in the Ranji Trophy. "Virat Kohli, out of touch, not in form at all. He needs to play domestically before flying to Australia, Rohit also. Test match practice cannot be seen," Ali said.He added that the mandate of making players available for domestic cricket to be eligible for India selection should be strictly enforced. "Everyone played, all of them performed in patches - Shubman Gill, Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal...but these two (Rohit and Virat) were given a free hand and allowed to exclude themselves," Ali said.The criticism of Kohli and Rohit comes at a crucial time, as India is set to tour Australia for a four-Test series later this year. The duo's poor form has raised doubts about their ability to perform in challenging conditions.

Rohit Sharma's Test Future in Doubt, India Needs to Prepare for ReplacementFormer Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has raised concerns about Rohit Sharma's future in Test cricket, suggesting that the veteran opener may retire from the format if India performs poorly in the upcoming five-Test series in Australia.Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals, has been in poor form in Tests, averaging just 26.67 in his last 10 innings. He has also acknowledged his lack of leadership during India's recent 0-3 home Test thumping by New Zealand."You have to start thinking ahead. If Rohit Sharma doesn't do well, I think he himself will retire from test cricket, for all you know," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. "He'll play ODIs only. He has already left T20I cricket. We have to keep in mind that he's also ageing."Sharma, 37, has amassed 4,270 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 42.27, but his recent performances have raised questions about his ability to continue at the highest level.Srikkanth praised Sharma for acknowledging his mistakes in a press conference after the New Zealand series. "Hats off to Rohit for accepting the fact that he played badly throughout the series and captained badly. That's a great thing," Srikkanth added. "That's the first move of a player to get back to rhythm. Accepting your fault is very important. That's a very important quality of a human being."India may be without Sharma for the first Test in Perth beginning on November 22 due to personal reasons. The team needs to win four of their five Tests in Australia to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the third time in a row next year.Srikkanth believes that India needs to start preparing for Sharma's potential retirement by identifying a suitable replacement. "We have to start thinking about who will replace Rohit Sharma," he said. "We have to start looking at the younger players and give them a chance."

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, are approaching the twilight of their careers. As they enter their mid-30s, questions are being raised about their continued presence in the national team.Following India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, former captain Sunil Gavaskar has called for introspection regarding the team management's approach to the senior duo. Gavaskar believes that if Kohli and Sharma fail to perform in the upcoming series against Australia, the pressure for a team overhaul will intensify."It's ticking for everybody," Gavaskar said. "But because they are in their 30s, mid-30s, it will be tougher for them than the guys in the early 20s or early 30s."Gavaskar acknowledged that Kohli and Sharma have been through a rare period of poor form, but emphasized that their performance in Australia will be crucial. "What we are going to see in Australia is really going to be interesting," he said. "What we are going to see in Australia will determine the future of the Test team."Gavaskar also believes that the early announcement of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad was not a mistake. He argued that the selection committee had already considered potential replacements and included them in the team."I don't think that there would have been too many changes," Gavaskar said. "I don't think, you know, announcing the team earlier was was an issue at all."The upcoming series against Australia will be a defining moment for Kohli and Sharma. If they fail to perform, the calls for a new-look Indian team will only grow louder. The future of the Test team hangs in the balance, and the performances of its two most experienced players will play a pivotal role in shaping its destiny.

In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, India's performance was largely underwhelming. However, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant emerged as a beacon of hope, showcasing his fearless batting style. Despite the Indian team's struggles, Pant's solo efforts kept India in contention for a consolation win in the third and final Test at the Wankhede stadium.Pant's valiant performance did not go unnoticed, earning him praise from both Indian and New Zealand cricketing circles. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel acknowledged the fear that Pant instilled in the opposition. "When Rishabh Pant is in the crease, everyone is scared," Patel stated.Patel revealed that the New Zealand team had specifically targeted Pant, recognizing his ability to play fearlessly and dictate the game. "He doesn't fear when in the middle. He plays his game, no matter what. His philosophy is till the time you are on the crease, you do what you want to, if you get out, no problem," Patel said.Patel also commented on India's upcoming tour of Australia, where the two teams will face off in a five-match Test series. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and a positive mindset for India to succeed Down Under. "Conditions in Australia would be different. If you take this series into Australia, there would not be any benefit. You need to start with a new mindset. You have the some of the best players, some of whom have even played in Australia. There would be pressure but wins and losses are part of the game," Patel said."The important thing is to keep the trust and belief alive. You need to learn to focus on what's next in line and move on from what has happened," he added.