Cricket

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has raised concerns among former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine believes that Gambhir's "prickly" coaching style may not be a good fit for the team, especially in the wake of their recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.Paine highlighted the contrast between Gambhir's approach and that of former coach Ravi Shastri, who was known for his positive and motivating style. He expressed concern that Gambhir's "prickly" nature could create a tense atmosphere within the team, especially under pressure.Paine's comments stem from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting's remarks on Virat Kohli's struggling form. Gambhir's response, which Paine described as "prickly," has raised questions about his ability to handle criticism and stay calm under pressure.Paine believes that Gambhir's biggest concern is not the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, but his own ability to remain composed under pressure. He emphasized that the coach's demeanor can have a significant impact on the team's performance, especially in a high-stakes environment like the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's appointment has also raised questions about the future of the Indian team. The team has struggled in recent months, and the loss to New Zealand has further dented their confidence. Paine believes that if India fails to start strong in the Perth Test, it could be a "long summer" for Gambhir and the team.

Dhruv Jurel's impressive performance in the unofficial Test between India 'A' and Australia 'A' has sparked calls for his inclusion in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).Jurel, who arrived in Australia early with KL Rahul for match practice, showcased his batting prowess with scores of 80 and 68. His ability to handle the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers, which can be challenging for Indian batsmen, has caught the attention of former Australia captain Tim Paine.Paine, who coached Australia 'A' in the match, was particularly impressed with Jurel's 80 off 186 balls in the first innings. "I don't know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat – even though he's a wicket-keeper, from what I've seen on this tour and from India's batting in the last couple of months, I'd be staggered if he doesn't play," Paine said.Jurel's current role in the Indian squad is as a backup wicketkeeper for Rishabh Pant. However, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the Perth Test and KL Rahul struggling for form, head coach Gautam Gambhir may consider using Jurel as a specialist batsman."He's 23 and he's played three Test matches, but he looked a class above all of his teammates, to be fair, and handled the pace and bounce really well, which can be unusual for an Indian player," Paine added.Jurel's Test debut came against England earlier this year, where he impressed with a 46-run knock in Rajkot. He came close to scoring a century in the next match at Ranchi, where he made 90. In his three-Test career, Jurel has aggregated 190 runs in four innings at an average of 63.33.With his strong showing in Melbourne, Jurel has made a strong case for his inclusion in the Indian Test team for the BGT. His ability to bat in different positions and handle the Australian conditions could prove invaluable for India.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed frustration with the heavy criticism aimed at Australia's ODI team following their recent 1-2 series defeat to Pakistan. Despite a promising start with a win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Aussies stumbled in the subsequent matches, suffering comprehensive nine-wicket and eight-wicket losses at the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium, respectively. These defeats have sparked discussions over the state of Australia's ODI squad, with some commentators labelling the series loss as a "disaster."Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine voiced his discontent with what he sees as an exaggerated reaction, particularly from established cricket analysts. "That annoyed me. People were saying, 'Oh, I can't believe how bad the Australian cricket team are,' and these are cricket commentators—world-class commentators—saying, 'I can't believe what I'm watching; this is the World Cup holders.' But it's not. The World Cup holders are sitting on the couch getting ready for a Test series."Paine explained that the absence of key players, including Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood, who missed the series entirely, along with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Starc, who only played in parts of the series, made a significant difference. These absences were due to the players' need to prepare for the upcoming Test summer and other critical red-ball engagements, including an important series against India. Paine highlighted that the team on the field wasn't representative of the World Cup-winning unit but was instead filled with emerging talents learning to play at the top level."We're blooding some youth to give them experience at the international level whilst the big boys get ready for two hugely important series — one in Test cricket and one in white-ball. Relax. It's okay," he said.The World Cup-winning side's absence was deeply felt, as Australia managed scores of only 163 and 140 while batting first in the second and third ODIs, respectively.Paine's comments highlight the challenges facing Australia's ODI team as they transition from a golden generation to a new era. While the recent series loss is disappointing, it's important to remember that the team is in a rebuilding phase and that the absence of key players played a significant role in the outcome. With the return of experienced players and the continued development of young talent, Australia's ODI team has the potential to regain its status as one of the world's best.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed his belief that Usman Khawaja can extend his international career for at least another two years, despite the left-handed batter turning 38 in December. Paine, who has witnessed Khawaja's recent resurgence firsthand, believes that the veteran opener's current form is a testament to his enduring quality.Since switching to the opening position at the conclusion of the 2021/22 Ashes series, Khawaja has been a revelation for Australia. He has averaged an impressive 54.04 as an opener, showcasing remarkable consistency and resilience. Paine, speaking on SEN Tassie, dismissed speculation surrounding Khawaja's retirement, stating that the left-hander has been "nearly the best player in the world" in recent times.Paine emphasized that age should not be a determining factor in assessing a player's ability, particularly in cricket, where experience often plays a crucial role. He pointed out that Khawaja's reflexes and eyesight remain sharp, and his batting technique is as polished as ever."With his age in cricket, in particular as a batter, is just a number," Paine said. "He doesn't look like he's lost reflex, his eyes are good and he's batting as well as he's ever batted. From what I'm seeing right now, I think Usman can play for another year or two at least."Khawaja's recent performances have silenced critics who questioned his longevity. He has been a key figure in Australia's batting lineup, providing stability and experience at the top of the order. His ability to adapt to the challenges of opening the batting has been particularly impressive, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.As Australia prepares for a busy international schedule in the coming months, Khawaja's experience and form will be invaluable. Paine's endorsement of his former teammate's longevity is a testament to the quality and determination that Khawaja continues to display.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been appointed head coach of the Prime Minister's XI for their two-day pink-ball warm-up match against India A, ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Paine will be joined by assistant coaches Erin Osborne and Justin McNally.The match will take place from November 30 to December 1 in Canberra, providing India with crucial preparation for the second Test in Adelaide, which will be a day-night encounter. The warm-up fixture is part of India's larger effort to acclimatize to Australian conditions, as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 0-3 home series defeat against New Zealand.India need a strong performance in the five-match series to stay in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India's main squad is set to arrive in Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, while the India A team, featuring several Test squad members, is already playing unofficial matches against Australia A to adjust to local conditions.The pink-ball Test in Adelaide, scheduled as the second match of the Border-Gavaskar series, will be a key challenge for India, and this warm-up game against Paine's team will be vital preparation. India A's two-day match will provide their batters and bowlers valuable experience under lights, ahead of what is expected to be a tough Test series.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth, and India will need to win the series to keep their hopes alive for a place in the WTC final, making this tour one of their most important in recent years.

Australia is poised to enter the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) as the frontrunner, according to former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine attributes this to India's recent struggles with form and injuries.Paine, who captained Australia in their previous two BGT losses, believes Australia's stability and home advantage give them an edge. "Australia are going to start pretty strong favorites," he said. "I think India have not been playing pretty well, their batting looks a little brittle."Paine also highlighted the absence of Mohammed Shami as a significant blow for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," he said. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."Reflecting on India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, Paine expressed concern about their batting. "No. They (New Zealand) are not very good. Is that harsh? Unbelievable performance, no doubt about that. But that makes me worry a little about India, totally honest," he said.Paine also acknowledged India's historic 2020-21 series win in Australia, crediting Cheteshwar Pujara as the series hero. "The guy who won them the series was Pujara," he said. "He wore us down, he wore our fast bowlers down."India's selectors have named an 18-member squad for the five-Test series, but Shami's absence has forced them to field an inexperienced pace attack. Bumrah will lead the bowling unit, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.India's first Test against Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, kicking off the much-anticipated series.

The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian cricket team. Despite facing adversity at every turn, the team emerged victorious in a series that will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.The series began with a humiliating defeat in Adelaide, where India was bowled out for a paltry 36 runs. However, the team refused to be disheartened and fought back valiantly. In the second Test in Melbourne, India defied all odds to draw the match, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in Sydney.The third Test in Sydney was a battle of attrition, with both teams refusing to give an inch. Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role in the draw, batting for over four hours with an aching back alongside Hanuma Vihari.As the series reached its climax in Brisbane, Australia captain Tim Paine resorted to sledging in an attempt to unsettle Ashwin. Paine's tactics failed, as Ashwin remained unfazed and India went on to win the series 2-1.Paine has since defended his sledging, claiming that he was simply trying to unsettle Ashwin, who had been "annoying" him by getting his wicket frequently. However, Ashwin has hit back, saying that Paine's sledging was aimed at him personally and that he pulled out of the Brisbane Test due to a genuine back injury.The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be remembered for its thrilling matches, intense rivalry, and the remarkable resilience of the Indian cricket team. It is a series that will inspire generations of cricketers to come.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has revealed that David Warner's offer to come out of retirement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was merely a joke. Warner had suggested his availability if Australia struggled to find an opening partner for Usman Khawaja, but Paine believes it was all in jest."He was not dead serious, that is Davey. How do I know? Because I spoke to him, that is how. Is that good enough for the people?" Paine told SEN.Warner's retirement from international cricket came after Australia's disappointing exit from the ICC T20 World Cup in the Super Eight stage. In his illustrious career, he amassed 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, 6,932 runs in 161 ODIs, and 3,277 runs in 110 T20Is.Warner's absence has left a significant void in Australia's batting lineup, particularly in the opening position. With Steve Smith moving down to number four and Cameron Green sidelined with a back injury, the team has been searching for a suitable partner for Khawaja.However, Paine's revelation suggests that Warner is not seriously considering a return. "He said, 'I got them good, haha'. Of course, that's Davey's thing. People say, 'You're not serious', I am dead serious, but he is not (about returning to cricket)," Paine added.Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. He was a key member of the teams that won the 2015 and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cups, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, and the ICC World Test Championship 2023. His aggressive batting style and exceptional fielding made him one of the most feared and respected players in the world.

In the third Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Australia captain Tim Paine engaged in a verbal altercation with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Paine's sledging stemmed from his frustration with Ashwin's consistent dismissals of him.Despite India's eventual 2-1 series victory, Paine's comments have sparked controversy. In a recent podcast, Paine defended his actions, stating that he was not targeting the Indian team as a whole but rather Ashwin specifically."I wasn't talking to the Indians, I was talking to him," Paine said. "I said we cannot wait to get you to the Gabba...because he was annoying us, fair to say."Ashwin responded to Paine's sledging in kind, saying: "Just like we wanna get you to India. That will be your last series."Paine acknowledged that his comments were directed solely at Ashwin, who ultimately withdrew from the fourth Test due to a back spasm. However, Paine questioned the severity of Ashwin's injury, noting that he had been seen jogging laps on the first day of the Test."Did I had a great game in that match? No, but I fronted up," Paine said. "Actually day one of the Test match he (Ashwin) was jogging laps. Those back spasms couldn't have been that bad."Paine's sledging has reignited the debate over the role of verbal aggression in cricket. While some argue that it can be a legitimate tactic to unsettle opponents, others believe it crosses the line of sportsmanship.Regardless of one's stance on sledging, it is clear that Paine's comments have added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense rivalry between Australia and India.