Cricket

Nathan McSweeney, the unheralded opener, is set to make his Test debut for Australia against India in Perth. The 25-year-old has endured a baptism of fire in his first training session, facing the likes of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.McSweeney's selection has raised eyebrows, with some questioning his credentials. However, the South Australian has impressed with his form in the Sheffield Shield, earning the nod over more experienced openers.In his first session as a Test cricketer, McSweeney faced a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Cummins and Starc. He struggled initially, but showed signs of improvement as the session progressed."It was a good challenge," McSweeney said. "I got through it unscathed. Didn't put much pressure on them but they bowled really well and great preparation to face those guys who are quality bowlers."McSweeney also received praise from his teammates, including Nathan Lyon. "I think nothing but exceptional in my eyes," Lyon said. "I saw him up close and personal in that Shield game a couple of weeks ago and I thought we had to run him out to get him out in the game."McSweeney will also play a role in Australia's slip cordon, filling the void left by David Warner's retirement. He is comfortable fielding at both third slip and gully.Despite the challenges ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities. "I know what works and I feel very capable to go and do the job and I'm batting the best I ever have, I feel," he said.McSweeney will have plenty of support in Perth, with family and friends traveling from Brisbane to witness his debut. "Got a great supporter base and great family that's looked after me and sacrificed a lot," he said.

India's Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia includes three uncapped players, including seam-up all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy's rapid rise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the cusp of a Test debut has raised eyebrows, but former India pacer Dodda Ganesh believes his fast-tracking "serves no purpose."Reddy, who was part of India's 'A' team in Australia before the Test squad's arrival, was selected for the BGT along with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Harshit Rana. Reddy's IPL exploits for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024 earned him a call-up to India's T20 squad against Bangladesh. His impressive performance in the second match, with a 74-run knock and two wickets, further enhanced his reputation.In four innings of two unofficial Tests against Australia 'A' earlier this month, Reddy's highest score was 38, and he took only one wicket. Former India coach Ravi Shastri has tipped Reddy to make his Test debut in Perth, citing his batting ability and seam-up bowling as potential assets to the team's balance.However, Ganesh believes that such a move would be premature. "This fast-tracking of Nitish Reddy for Tests serves no purpose. He is still undercooked to be playing the longer format," Ganesh wrote on social media. He suggests that the Indian think-tank should opt for a specialist in the playing eleven, either a bowler or a batter.Shastri, on the other hand, believes that Reddy's versatility could be valuable in Perth's pacer-friendly conditions. He suggests that Reddy could play a similar role to Shardul Thakur as a fourth seamer who can also contribute with the bat.The Indian team management faces a dilemma in selecting the playing eleven for the opening Test. Reddy's inclusion would provide balance, but his lack of experience in the longer format raises concerns. The decision will ultimately depend on the team's assessment of the conditions and the opposition's strengths.

The Australian soil has been a breeding ground for Indian cricketers, with many making their mark on the international stage. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, the country has witnessed the rise of several stars. This tradition continues with the current Indian squad, which features promising youngsters who could make their Test or international debuts during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Irfan Pathan (2003)Pathan's Test debut in 2003 was a memorable one, with India securing a historic win at Adelaide. He made his mark as an all-rounder, scoring a century and taking a wicket in his debut match. Pathan went on to play 173 matches for India, winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013.Vinay Kumar (2012)Kumar made his Test debut in 2012 under MS Dhoni's captaincy. He picked up a wicket in his only Test outing and also played 31 ODIs and nine T20Is for India. After retiring from first-class cricket in 2020, Kumar joined the Mumbai Indians talent scouting team and later became the bowling coach for MI Emirates.Karn Sharma (2014)Sharma made his Test debut in 2014 under Virat Kohli's captaincy. He took four wickets in the match but was overshadowed by Nathan Lyon's 12-wicket haul. Sharma has since played two ODIs and a T20I for India and continues to be a key domestic cricket player for Railways.KL Rahul (2014)Rahul made his international debut in 2014 and has since become a regular in the Indian team. He has scored over 8,000 runs in international cricket, including 17 centuries. Rahul will be looking to make a strong impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has an average of just over 20.Mayank Agarwal (2018)Agarwal made his Test debut in 2018 and played a crucial role in India's victory in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored 195 runs in two innings, including a fine 76 in the first innings. Agarwal has since played 21 Tests for India, scoring over 1,400 runs with four centuries.Mohammed Siraj (2020)Siraj's Test debut was a moment of resilience and emotion. He stepped up in the absence of injured senior players and led the pace battery in the final Test at Gabba. Siraj took 5/73 in the match-winning effort, helping India to an inspirational series win. He is now an all-format star for India, having taken 165 wickets in 91 matches.Navdeep Saini (2021)Saini made his Test debut in 2021 and has since taken 23 wickets in 21 international matches. He was recently picked for the India A series Down Under and is present in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a reserve player.Shubman Gill (2021)Gill made his Test debut in 2021 and played a crucial role in India's 2-1 win over Australia. He scored 259 runs in three matches, including two half-centuries. Gill has since become an all-format star, scoring over 4,700 runs in 97 matches with 12 centuries.Washington Sundar (2021)Sundar made his Test debut in the iconic Gabba Test win in 2021. He scored 62 and 22 in the match and took four wickets, including three in the first innings. Sundar has since been picked up as the third spinner for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.T Natarajan (2021)Natarajan made his debut across all formats during the 2020-21 tour to Australia. He played his first Test at Gabba, picking up three wickets. Natarajan has not played first-class cricket since then and his last international match was against England in March 2021.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been hailed as "The New King" by the Australian media. His remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Test debutant has captured the attention of fans and critics alike.Born in Uttar Pradesh, Jaiswal moved to Mumbai with dreams of becoming a cricketer. Despite facing hardships, his dedication and resilience shone through. He made his Test debut in 2023 with a stunning 171 against the West Indies.Jaiswal's appetite for big knocks was evident in his double centuries against England in 2024. In October 2024, he became the first Indian batter to score 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year before turning 23.The Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph has heralded Jaiswal as India's next superstar, comparing him to Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli. However, the report also questions whether he can succeed on his maiden trip to Australia.Jaiswal's captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he has the potential to "do wonders for the team." The Test series in Australia will be a crucial test for Jaiswal, as success Down Under will determine if he can succeed Kohli as "The New King" and become "India's next superstar."

Nathan McSweeney, the Australian opener poised to make his Test debut against India in the upcoming Perth Test, is eagerly preparing for the formidable challenge posed by the Indian pace attack. McSweeney, who has been in impressive form domestically, was recently included in the 13-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.Despite typically batting at number four, McSweeney has been tasked with opening alongside Usman Khawaja against India. To prepare for this crucial role, he has been diligently studying videos of India's quicks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."I'll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself," McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN. "I've looked at a few clips of what their bowling attack stacks up like. I'm just trying to visualize how I'm going to go about it."McSweeney acknowledges the unique challenges of facing a new bowler, particularly one with an unorthodox action like Bumrah. "Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," he said. "I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well."Despite the daunting task ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities and eager to seize the opportunity. "In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have," he said. "I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that."McSweeney's inclusion in the Test squad is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in Australia's domestic competition and earned his place in the side after solid performances during the 'A' matches against India.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, and McSweeney is determined to make a positive impact on his debut. "There's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," he said.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's meteoric rise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Indian Test squad has been a dream come true for the 21-year-old all-rounder. After making his T20I debut against Bangladesh in October, Reddy has now been selected for the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.Reddy's all-round abilities, including his seam-up bowling and aggressive batting, have impressed the BCCI selectors. He is currently in Australia with the India 'A' side, where he has been showcasing his skills in four-day matches against the Australian 'A' team.Despite his impressive performances, Reddy admits that he was not expecting to be included in the Test squad before his performances for the 'A' side. "I was expecting my name to be announced, but not before India 'A' matches," he said. "I thought it might depend on my performance in these 'A' matches. But it seems I have been able to show some promise to them, so I guess they hope I'll do well."Reddy's debut T20I against Bangladesh was a nervous experience, but he was put at ease by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who encouraged him to express himself on the field. "I was a bit nervous initially, but Surya bhai gave me a free hand regarding my approach on the field," Reddy said. "Only by scoring runs and taking wickets will you get that confidence, and I've experienced that already."If Reddy gets a chance to play in the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, he is determined to adapt to the situation and play his role effectively. "I will stick to my role," he said. "I'm just going to respond to the situation. If the situation demands me to play a big shot, I will play it. If the situation demands me to play till stumps, I’ll be ready for that too. I can do both."Reddy's impressive record in first-class cricket, with 708 runs and 55 wickets in 21 matches, is a testament to his all-round abilities. He believes that a tough mindset is essential for success in all forms of cricket. "You need to be tough, that's what I believe," he said. "You have to be very tough in the centre, not just in red-ball, but all forms of cricket. Only those with a tough mindset can survive and deal with whatever situations they face."

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is in contention to make his Test debut as a specialist batter in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, according to chief selector George Bailey.Inglis has been in red-hot form in domestic cricket, scoring four centuries in his last seven Sheffield Shield matches. While he is Australia's incumbent keeper in ODIs and T20Is, his impressive batting performances have put him in the mix for a Test call-up."There's no doubt that the form is really fantastic at the moment... the ability to jump back into domestic cricket and dominate has been fantastic," Bailey said. "I think in different series at different times of the year, he would firmly come into the mix purely as a batter the way he's been going."However, with Australian Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey also in rich form, Inglis is unlikely to be considered for the wicketkeeping role. Instead, he is being eyed as a specialist middle-order batter."If the right opportunity opened up throughout the summer, in the spots where we think he's most capable of performing, I think he'd be firmly in that conversation as well," Bailey added.Inglis's emergence as a specialist batter comes at a time when Australia is looking to fill the vacant opening slot following David Warner's retirement. However, Bailey ruled out Inglis for the opener's role, saying that he is not being considered for that position in the short term."I've spoken to Josh on this. Not in the short term, I don't think that he's someone that we would be looking to place at the top of the order," Bailey said.Inglis is also a contender to lead Australia's T20I side in the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan. However, all-format players, including regular T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh, are sitting out of the Pakistan series to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Andrew McDonald, Australia's head coach, has hinted that 19-year-old Sam Konstas could make his Test debut against India despite his limited first-class experience. Konstas, who will play for Australia A against India A in Mackay from Thursday, has impressed with his performances in the Sheffield Shield, including back-to-back centuries in the first game of the season.McDonald emphasized that the selectors will prioritize selecting the best team for the present, regardless of age or experience. He believes that Konstas has shown enough potential to be considered for the vacant opening role alongside Usman Khawaja. The coach also dismissed concerns about protecting young players from strong opponents, stating that if Konstas is ready, he should be given the opportunity.Konstas' mentor, Shane Watson, has described the current selection debate as a "perfect storm" for the young opener. McDonald echoed this sentiment, stating that the selectors will not hold back players based on the opposition. He also highlighted the advantage of playing in familiar conditions for a player's first Test summer.Despite the decision to move Steven Smith back to No. 4, McDonald remains open to converting a middle-order batter into an opener if it is deemed the best solution. He cited examples of successful transitions by players like Shane Watson and Simon Katich. Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, has also put his name in the frame for a call-up with his impressive start to the season.McDonald acknowledged the significance of Mohammed Shami's absence from the India squad but cautioned against underestimating the visitors. He pointed to India's previous tour of Australia, where an injury-depleted side famously won at the Gabba to take the series.

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old batting prodigy, has emerged as a potential Test debutant for Australia in the upcoming home series against India. His mentor, former all-rounder Shane Watson, believes that the current circumstances present a "perfect storm" for Konstas to make his international debut.Konstas' twin centuries for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield earlier this month have propelled him into contention for a Test berth. He will feature for Australia A next week alongside Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, as the selectors weigh their options.Watson, who has worked with Konstas for four years, highlights the player's exceptional talent and dedication. He believes that Konstas' age and the aging nature of the current Australian team make this an ideal time to inject young blood into the side."The whole situation is, in my mind, a perfect storm to be able to give him an opportunity to be able to play Test cricket," Watson said. "For me, this is an opportune time, knowing that the bowlers are aging, there's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja as a starting point who are aging."Watson draws parallels between Konstas and Cameron Green, who made his Test debut at 21 on India's last tour of Australia. He emphasizes the importance of giving young players early opportunities to learn and develop."Australian cricket always did incredibly well was see someone who is different from all the younger stars coming through and get them into the Australian set-up, as early as they can within reason, to be able to help them learn," Watson said.Konstas' batting predecessors, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, were both given their Test debuts at the age of 20. Watson himself played ODI cricket as a 20-year-old, which he believes significantly accelerated his development."There's no doubt that my one-day cricket would never have evolved to the heights that it did without me being around the Aussie team [at a younger age]," Watson said.Konstas' single-minded dedication to his craft has impressed Watson. "From the first moment that I met Sam, the thing that jumped out at me the most was his desperate desire to be the best that he possibly could be," Watson said.With the Test series against India approaching, Konstas' chances of making his debut are growing. The selectors will have a tough decision to make, but Watson believes that the young prodigy is ready for the challenge.