Cricket

Team India Prepares for Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Pre-Departure Press ConferenceAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir will address the media in a pre-departure press conference on Monday at 9:00 AM at Ballroom 4, ITC Maratha in Mumbai.The press conference will provide an opportunity for Gambhir to discuss the team's preparations, strategies, and expectations for the challenging Test series. The Indian contingent will depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.The tour will feature a highlight in the form of the pink-ball, day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test is slated for January 3 in Sydney.India has enjoyed consecutive Test series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli's leadership in 2018-19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. With Rohit Sharma now at the helm, the team will be aiming for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil.The press conference will provide insights into the team's mindset, preparations, and expectations for the upcoming series. Gambhir is expected to discuss the team's strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for countering the formidable Australian team.

India's Historic Humiliation: New Zealand's Unprecedented 3-0 WhitewashIndia's cricket team has suffered an unprecedented humiliation at home, as New Zealand became the first team to whitewash them 3-0 in a Test series on Indian soil. The Kiwis' historic victory in the Mumbai Test within three days exposed India's glaring weaknesses in all three departments, particularly in batting.The New Zealand spinners, led by Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell, wreaked havoc on Indian pitches, exploiting the hosts' vulnerability to spin. India's batting lineup, led by captain Rohit Sharma, failed to rise to the occasion, consistently falling short of expectations.Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been a mainstay of the team for over a decade, expressed his devastation over the series loss. "It's a very shattering experience," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "I didn't know how to react or respond to it for the last 2-3 days."Ashwin also took responsibility for his own lack of contributions with the bat, acknowledging that he could have done more to support the team. "I am a guy who says I am the reason for everything that went wrong," he said. "I am also a big reason and a big part of it (series loss)."The unexpected series loss has put India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship Final in jeopardy. They now need to win four out of five Tests in Australia to qualify for the summit clash without relying on the results of other teams.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, and India will be desperate to bounce back from this humiliating defeat. However, they will face a formidable challenge against a strong Australian team on their home turf.

Ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and Australia, Pakistan's interim head coach Jason Gillespie has drawn comparisons between star pacers Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah. Gillespie, a former Australia pacer, emphasized the similarities in their relentless approach and ability to create wickets when others struggle.Gillespie highlighted the relentless nature of Cummins and Bumrah, who consistently attack batters with challenging lines and lengths. He praised their ability to ask questions of batsmen's technique and force them into making mistakes."Their major strength is they are pretty relentless in attacking the batters," Gillespie said. "They have a good pace, bowl challenging lines and lengths. They are always asking questions about batsmen's technique. They are always making sure that the batsman has to make good decisions or they will get themselves out."Gillespie also acknowledged the unique ability of Cummins and Bumrah to produce unplayable deliveries, whether through late swing, extra pace, or unpredictable movement off the surface. He described their knack for creating wickets out of seemingly nothing as a rare and valuable asset."They just have a knack for creating a wicket when there doesn't seem to be a wicket," Gillespie said. "They just create opportunities seemingly out of nowhere."With India missing the services of injured pacer Mohammed Shami, Gillespie believes Bumrah holds the key for the visitors. He praised Bumrah's importance in the current Indian Test set-up and highlighted his ability to lead the bowling attack."Mohammed Siraj is a nice bowler, he bowled some pretty good spells the last time he was here," Gillespie said. "But I still think the key bowler for India is Bumrah."Gillespie also commented on the venue for the series opener in Perth, describing it as a fast and bouncy track that will challenge batters early on but play well as the match progresses.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep against India has been met with graciousness from the Indian team, with skipper Tom Latham acknowledging the quality of Rohit Sharma's side and their ability to bounce back.Latham, who led the Kiwis to become the first visiting team to whitewash India in a three-match home series, praised the Indian team's resilience and quality. "Indian cricket in general is really special. We've played against them a lot. The guys play with them at the IPL. They were certainly gracious in defeat and they're still a quality side," Latham said.The series victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, who had suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka before landing in India. "When we were in Sri Lanka a few weeks, where things didn't necessarily go our way, so, I think it makes these times extra special when you're able to achieve something that hasn't been achieved before," Latham said.Latham also highlighted the challenge that awaits New Zealand in their upcoming three-match series against England, who have adopted an aggressive "Bazball" approach to Test cricket. "I think it's an exciting one. I guess you look at the Test matches in the past against England, whether it be home or away, they've always tended to be reasonably exciting. So, I'm sure this series will be no different," Latham said."They've got an attacking brand that they like to play and I'm sure it will be no different in terms of how they like to approach it. So, yeah, we're looking forward to it. Yeah, it'll be a great challenge," he added.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory over India on Indian soil has been hailed as a testament to the Black Caps' resilience and determination. Skipper Tom Latham, while acknowledging India's formidable stature in world cricket, expressed his admiration for the team's unwavering spirit despite the defeat.The Black Caps' dominant whitewash, secured with wins in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, marked a significant milestone for visiting teams in India. Latham attributed the victory to his team's unwavering belief and ability to adapt to challenging conditions."We knew it was going to be a tough challenge, but we believed in ourselves and our abilities," Latham said. "We played to our strengths and adapted to the conditions, which was key to our success."Despite the historic feat, Latham emphasized that India remained a formidable force in world cricket. "Indian cricket is special, and the team is still a quality side," he said. "They have a lot of experience and talent, and I'm sure they'll bounce back."The victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, coming on the heels of a disappointing 0-2 Test series defeat against Sri Lanka. Latham acknowledged the contrasting fortunes, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities."When we were in Sri Lanka, things didn't go our way," Latham said. "But we learned from that experience and came back stronger. It makes this victory even more special, knowing that we've overcome adversity."Latham's comments reflect the mutual respect between the two cricketing nations. Despite the rivalry on the field, there is a deep appreciation for each other's skills and achievements.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could be a watershed moment for senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Following India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand at home, questions have been raised about the future of these star players.In an interview with India Today, Gavaskar emphasized that there are numerous talented young players eager for opportunities, and the Australia series could be the last chance for some senior players to prove their worth. "I think it could be a tour which could decide a lot of futures," Gavaskar said. "They are at an age and stage in their careers where there will be a second ring of players looking to get an opportunity."According to a report by PTI, the BCCI is evaluating the shocking defeat against New Zealand and considering a structured phaseout policy for senior players before the start of the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The five-match Test series against Australia could be the final one for at least two of the four senior players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin.An informal discussion is expected between BCCI officials, the chairman of selectors, the head coach, and the captain to determine the future of the aging team. "Stocks will be taken certainly," a senior BCCI source told PTI. "But with the Australia series round the corner and the squad already announced, there won't be any tinkering."However, if India fails to qualify for the WTC final in England, it is likely that all four senior players will not be part of the team for the subsequent five-Test series in the UK. "In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together," the source added.The upcoming Test series against Australia will be a crucial test for the Indian team and its senior players. The results could have a significant impact on the future of Indian cricket and the transition to a new generation of players.

The Indian cricket team's dismal performance in the recent home Test series against New Zealand has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. The 3-0 whitewash marks the first time in Indian cricket history that the team has been clean-swept in a three-Test series at home.Former BCCI selector and ex-India player Sunil Joshi believes that the onus for the team's poor showing lies with the players rather than the cricket board. "The onus and responsibility lies more with the players, than the BCCI or the selection committee," Joshi told Times of India.Joshi emphasized the importance of individual responsibility and preparation, particularly in transitioning from white-ball cricket to the red-ball format. He urged players to take the initiative to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy to gain match readiness for international Test matches."You know that you are going to play three Test matches, it's going to be on turners, or it's going to be on slow wickets. So from white-ball format, (there's need to) go back to Ranji Trophy and play (in order to get match-ready for the red-ball international season)," Joshi said.He also highlighted the significance of home advantage in Test cricket. "Think it's not easy when you lose a series. I am sure even the team management feels the same...If you want to win WTC or you want to be in the WTC final, or you want to be the number one Test team, we have to play well in India. For that, our preparations, the Ranji Trophy becomes a primary goal (tournament)," Joshi said.Joshi's comments echo the concerns raised by other former cricketers, who have criticized the team's lack of preparation and the BCCI's handling of the situation. The Indian team's road to the World Test Championship final has become increasingly challenging after the series loss, and the team will need to address these issues to regain their form and secure a place in the final.

Team India's disastrous 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked a torrent of criticism, with former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pinpointing the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Duleep Trophy as a contributing factor.Kohli and Sharma had initially agreed to participate in the domestic red-ball event but withdrew at the last moment, citing a "lack of motivation." Manjrekar believes this decision was a mistake, arguing that the duo would have benefited from the match practice."The big learning for the selectors from this home season is that do not rest the already well-rested players because of their stature," Manjrekar wrote on social media. "I say this again, both Rohit & Virat would only have benefited from playing the Duleep Trophy start of the season."The Indian team's middle-order fragility, Rohit Sharma's captaincy, and Gautam Gambhir's insistence on turning tracks have also been identified as potential reasons for the series loss. However, Manjrekar's comments highlight the importance of match readiness, especially for senior players.Kohli and Sharma will have a significant responsibility when India travels to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, particularly in the absence of experienced batsmen like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Some experts believe that this could be the last Test series at home for Kohli, Rohit, and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian team must address these issues and find a way to regain their form if they want to avoid a similar fate in Australia. The Duleep Trophy could provide an opportunity for players to prove their worth and earn a place in the Test squad.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Anil Kumble has expressed surprise over the BCCI's decision to cancel the practice game ahead of the first Test match against Australia in Perth starting November 22. The Indian cricket team was going to play a practice match against India A, but following the Test series whitewash against New Zealand, the BCCI decided to scrap the encounter.Kumble, during a discussion on JioCinema, said that the practice match would have been ideal preparation for Rohit Sharma and Co. He added that such match practice cannot be achieved by just net sessions."I'm a bit surprised that India don't have a practice match going into the first Test because that would have been an ideal preparation. No matter how much you practice in the nets, going out in the middle and facing a few bowlers in the match is totally different," he said.Right-handed batter KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Dhurv Jurel are on their way to link up with the India A squad ahead of their second four-day game against Australia A, set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.Sources told IANS that Rahul and Jurel left for Melbourne on Sunday night after the third Test ended at the Wankhede Stadium, which India lost by 25 runs to New Zealand and suffered a 3-0 series defeat.As per the sources, Rahul and Jurel will join the India 'A' squad by Tuesday and get to play in the second four-day game, with an eye to give them some game time before linking up with the main Test team to prepare for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, starting on November 22 in Perth. It will be followed by games in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney till January 7, 2025.Rahul played three Tests in the Indian home season, with his last game coming via the hosts' series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After making scores of 0 and 12 in that game, where India lost by eight wickets, he didn't feature in the remainder of the series.On the other hand, Jurel didn't get a game to play in the five Tests India played at home, though he did get to feature as a substitute wicketkeeper in the first Test at Bengaluru after Rishabh Pant hurt his knee while being on keeping duties.The first four-day game saw India A, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, suffer a heavy seven-wicket defeat at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, with left-handed batters B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal along with pacer Mukesh Kumar being the standout performers.