Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. The squad features several notable inclusions and exclusions.Inclusions:* Abhimanyu Easwaran: The Bengal opener has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, becoming the third-choice opener behind Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.* Harshit Rana: The seamer has enjoyed an impressive year, starring in an IPL title and earning a Test call-up after being selected in the white-ball squads.* Nitish Rana: The Andhra Pradesh all-rounder has impressed in the T20 league and made his T20I debut against Bangladesh this month.Exclusions:* Mohammed Shami: The match-changing seamer has been ruled out due to a knee swelling, despite working tirelessly to recover from ankle surgery.* Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm spinner has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence to address his chronic left groin issue.Other Notable Selections:* Washington Sundar: The spin-bowling all-rounder has been included after taking seven wickets in the first innings against New Zealand in the ongoing second Test in Pune.* Prasidh Krishna: The Karnataka seamer returns to the Test squad after debuting in South Africa and impressing in India A's Duleep Trophy title win.Reserves:* Mukesh Kumar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel AhmedThe Indian squad will travel with a well-stocked pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Akash Deep has maintained his spot after impressive performances against England and Bangladesh.

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has expressed his belief that the 2018-19 Test series loss to India was more painful than the 2020-21 debacle under his leadership. Cummins believes that the home team was simply outplayed in the 2018-19 series, while the 2020-21 series was more closely fought.Under Virat Kohli's captaincy, India defeated Australia 2-1 in the 2018-19 rubber with the skipper and Cheteshwar Pujara playing a pivotal role in the historic triumph against the Tim Paine-led side. During the 2020-2021 series, a hugely depleted Indian side again bagged the series 2-1, defeating the hosts at their stronghold Gabba for the first time in a Test match in 32 years."I actually thought the series before (2018-19) was worse because we got completely beaten whereas that series (in 2020-21) was quite (keenly) fought. I thought they (India) played like fantastically well to win at the Gabba," Cummins told The Grade Cricketer podcast."That (defeat) was annoying, but I felt like the series before, where we were like completely outplayed, that would hurt more for me," he said.Cummins, who will again be leading in a five-match Test series against India starting November 22 in Perth, said that if he had his way, he would welcome India with green tops to make life difficult for the visitors."I wish if I had it my way I would be looking like those bushes behind you. Unfortunately, I don’t have any sway (on the preparation of wickets), so we’ll wait and see," said Cummins in response to the host’s question on the amount of grass he would like to see on the pitches for the crucial series.David Warner has offered to come out of retirement to help the side if need be, but Cummins indicated that the team has moved on."Dave we are very interested, we’re taking it very seriously and we’ll be in touch, mate just watch that phone," said Cummins in jest before adding, "Uh, we love Davey (Warner) but he’s retired, sorry."

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has issued a stern warning to his countrymen ahead of their upcoming Test series against India, describing the Asian giants as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down" to anyone.Lee's comments come in the wake of India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test earlier this week. Despite the setback, Lee believes that India remains a formidable force in world cricket."This day and age, India is a powerhouse that don't want to bow down. They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis. They know they can beat anyone on any given day," Lee told 'Fox Cricket'.Lee suggested that India's recent performance against New Zealand may have been influenced by the aggressive approach adopted by England under Brendon McCullum, known as 'Bazball'."India just didn't go into their shell. Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," he noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India's batting woes in the Bengaluru Test were evident in their first innings, where they were bowled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test score at home. Lee believes that the team needs to assess conditions more accurately and make better decisions."But, you've got to weigh up the risk factor as well. There are times when you've got to go, 'Okay, well, maybe the big shots aren't working today'. Maybe, just rein it in a little bit. I don't think they sort of summed up the conditions as quickly as what they should have done," Lee said.Before departing for Australia, India will play two more Test matches against New Zealand in Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5). These matches will provide the team with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's heartwarming interaction with a young fangirl has captured the hearts of fans on social media. Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the girl approached Rohit for an autograph, expressing her admiration and revealing that she had traveled a long distance.In a playful twist, the fangirl requested Rohit to convey her message to former captain Virat Kohli, saying, "Tell Virat bhai that a huge fan had come." Rohit responded with a smile, assuring her that he would pass on the message.The interaction highlights the special bond between cricketers and their fans. Rohit's willingness to engage with the young girl and fulfill her request demonstrates his humility and appreciation for the support he receives.Meanwhile, Team India is focused on leveling the ongoing Test series against New Zealand after a disappointing loss in the first Test. Despite wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's knee injury, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate remains optimistic about his participation in the second Test.Pant's courageous 99 in the second innings of the first Test helped India recover from a disastrous first innings total of 46. However, he aggravated the same knee that was previously operated on following a severe car crash in 2022.India faces a selection dilemma, with Shubman Gill set to return while KL Rahul struggles with form. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be without their star batsman Kane Williamson, who is sidelined with a groin injury.The second Test promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to gain an advantage in the series. Rohit Sharma's leadership and the team's determination will be crucial in their quest to level the series and regain momentum.

India's Test series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in a disappointing eight-wicket defeat for the hosts. Skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the team's dismal first-innings total of 46 set them back significantly."We knew it would be a challenge with overcast conditions and a tricky pitch," Sharma said. "We didn't expect to be all out for 46, but credit to New Zealand. It set us back, and games like this happen."Despite the setback, Sharma expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back in the remaining two matches. "We've been here before, conceding home losses; these things happen," he said. "Two Tests to go, we know what it takes and will give it all in the next two Tests."In the second innings, India showed resilience with a counter-attacking 177-run stand between Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99). Sharma praised the young batters for their performance."It was a good effort in the second innings with the bat," he said. "We knew what lies ahead, get as many as possible. A couple of guys stood out, was great to watch. When you're 350 behind, you can't think too much. Just have to try and bat the ball and see where the game goes."Sharma highlighted the importance of the partnership between Khan and Pant. "We could've easily been bowled under 350, it's something we're proud of," he said. "Everyone's on the edge of their seats when Pant and Sarfaraz bat. Pant's was a mature innings; he's done it for a while, and he played his shots too. Sarfaraz was very clear and mature in just his third or fourth Test."India now trails 1-0 in the three-match series and will travel to Pune for the second Test from October 24-28. The third and final game will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1-5.

Bangladesh cricket is experiencing a tumultuous period, but newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons is determined to keep the focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Simmons, who replaced Chandika Hathurusinghe on Tuesday, faces a challenging task. Shakib Al Hasan, the team's star all-rounder, has withdrawn from the Test side due to ongoing protests against him. Additionally, Hathurusinghe has publicly criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) since his dismissal.Despite these distractions, Simmons is adamant about maintaining the team's concentration on the cricket. "Our job is to keep the players focused on the cricket and not on the outside noise," he said. "We can control how we prepare for Monday, and that's how we're trying to get the team to focus."Simmons brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having worked with several international teams and T20 franchises. He believes his past experiences will be invaluable in preparing Bangladesh for the Test series."Afghanistan helped me with the language barrier sometimes. Ireland helped me with developing young players. It all comes in handy at the end of the day," he said.Simmons has been impressed by the young players in the Bangladesh squad, particularly their performance in the recent Test series win against Pakistan. He believes they have the potential to beat South Africa, who have not won a Test series in the subcontinent in the last ten years."Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series," Simmons said. "South Africa has that record hanging over their head, but they are a resilient team. They will work hard to change that."Simmons is confident in Bangladesh's chances, but he is also wary of taking South Africa lightly. He believes the team must prepare thoroughly and execute their plans effectively to achieve success.

The post-Rahul Dravid era in Indian cricket has witnessed a shift towards a more aggressive approach, spearheaded by head coach Gautam Gambhir. As the team prepares for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, the focus has shifted to the bowling department, with Gambhir emphasizing the importance of bowlers in determining match outcomes.With Jasprit Bumrah appointed as vice-captain, India's priorities are clear. However, the absence of Mohammed Shami due to an ankle injury has created a void that the team is looking to fill. Akash Deep has emerged as a potential candidate, having displayed consistency and accuracy in his short Test career.Mohammed Siraj, once a rising star, has faced challenges in 2024, with his wicket-taking ability declining. The New Zealand series provides him with an opportunity to regain form and build momentum ahead of the crucial Australia tour.India has also named three pacers as reserves: Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna. While their inclusion in the starting XI is unlikely, they represent India's long-term strategy, particularly with the Australia tour in mind.The New Zealand series will serve as a valuable preparation ground for the reserves, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the team environment and prepare for the challenges of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

New Zealand's top-order batter Rachin Ravindra has emphasized the significance of neutralizing the formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their upcoming Test series against India. Ashwin and Jadeja, with over 800 Test wickets between them, pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.Ravindra acknowledged the consistency and skill of the Indian spinners, stating, "They've got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. Ashwin and Jadeja are two very accomplished bowlers who can also bat, making them even more challenging."The 24-year-old batter drew upon his previous experiences playing in India, including the ODI World Cup and IPL, to bolster his confidence. "Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world," he said.From a team perspective, Ravindra emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game plan rather than being preoccupied with India's approach. "We know what a quality side they are, but I think if we're able to play our game and be consistent, hopefully, that will result in a win," he added.Despite their recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka and the washout against Afghanistan, Ravindra expressed confidence in the team's ability to learn from those experiences. "We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, but we came on the wrong side of the win and loss column," he said.Ravindra highlighted the need for the team to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match. "We've got to understand that we've got to do it (fighting) for long periods of time because that's what Test match cricket is about," he said.The Kiwi batter emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India, which are similar to those in Sri Lanka in terms of spin. "We have learnt a lot. So, it's about, you know, seeing how we can play our game and how we can bring that here to India," he concluded.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has begun preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 18. Rohit, who recently led India to a 2-0 Test series sweep over Bangladesh, was seen hitting the nets on Friday.In a hilarious interaction, Rohit responded to a question about whether he would start his practice session with a six. "Pagal hogaya hai kya? (Are you mad or what?)" Rohit quipped, leaving fans in splits.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. However, reports suggest that Rohit may miss one of the first two Tests in Australia due to personal reasons.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be a day-night affair at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.Rohit's participation in the Australia series remains uncertain, with the BCCI yet to issue an official statement on his status.