Cricket

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has urged Pakistan's Babar Azam to emulate Virat Kohli's strategy to regain his lost form. Babar, who was rested for the final two Tests against England due to poor form, has struggled to find his rhythm in recent times.Ponting believes that Babar should consider taking a break from cricket, similar to what Kohli did in 2022. Kohli's sabbatical helped him rediscover his form and return to his best."The biggest challenge is how they get Babar back into their side. They've got to find a way to get Babar back into form and back into their (Test) team," Ponting said in the ICC Review."You know, when you look at (Babar's) numbers, it's been a bit like the stuff that we were talking about with Virat Kohli earlier on. Sometimes - and I think Virat was on record saying this - that little bit of a break that he had, he took himself away from the game for a while to freshen up and sort out some things that he needed to sort out."Ponting added that Babar may need to "get away for a while and stop trying too hard.""Lock the kit bag away for a while, and think about something else and then hopefully come back recharged, because we know at his best he's as good as anyone going around. Hopefully, we get to see that in the back half of his career again," Ponting said.Babar has amassed 3,997 runs at an average of 43.92 in 55 Test matches. However, he has not scored a Test half-century in 18 innings since late 2022.Pakistan won the Test series against England 2-1 under the leadership of Shan Masood. Babar's return to form will be crucial for Pakistan's success in upcoming Test matches.

Virat Kohli's recent Test series against New Zealand has been a disappointing one, with the former Indian captain scoring just 44 runs in five innings. This has resulted in a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking, with Kohli now sitting at 22nd, his lowest position in over a decade.Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the series, with the 34-year-old failing to convert starts into substantial scores. In the first Test in Kanpur, he was dismissed for 0 and 1, while in the second Test in Mumbai, he managed only 4 and 1.Kohli's poor form has coincided with a resurgence from Rishabh Pant, who has moved up to sixth in the ICC Test batting rankings after a strong performance in the Mumbai Test. Pant scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India to avoid a whitewash.Other Indian batters to make gains in the rankings include Shubman Gill, who moved up four places to 16th, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth.In the bowling rankings, Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah remains India's top-ranked bowler, sitting at fourth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is fifth.New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell also made a significant jump in the rankings, moving up eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test.

Virat Kohli Celebrates 36th Birthday with Well Wishes from Paul PogbaIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli turned 36 on Tuesday, November 5, and received an outpouring of birthday wishes from fans and fellow athletes worldwide. Among those who extended their greetings was French footballer Paul Pogba.In a surprise appearance on a livestream with popular American YouTuber 'IShowSpeed,' Pogba wished Kohli a happy birthday. Despite being out of football action for over a year due to a doping ban, Pogba showed his recognition of Kohli's stature in the world of cricket.Upon being shown a picture of Kohli and informed that he is a cricketer, Pogba exclaimed, "Happy Birthday bro (brother), long life!" Speed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also praised Kohli as a "legend" and one of the best cricketers in the world.Pogba's birthday wish to Kohli was a highlight of his unexpected appearance on Speed's channel. The duo also engaged in football and video game challenges during their collaboration.Kohli's birthday celebration comes amidst intense scrutiny of his form following India's 0-3 home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. The batter managed only 93 runs in three Tests in the recently-concluded series.Despite the recent setbacks, Kohli remains a revered figure in the cricketing world. He is set to play in the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Australia, which begins on November 22.

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.

Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have come under intense scrutiny following India's humiliating Test series defeat against New Zealand. Both batters failed to deliver, contributing to India's clean sweep loss at home. As India prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, questions linger about the duo's future.Former Australian cricketer David Warner, however, believes that age is irrelevant for Sharma and Kohli. He emphasized that their performance will be crucial for India's success in the series. "Age is just a number," Warner said. "But those two hold the key to how India are going to go."Sharma and Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the home Test season. In the third and final Test against New Zealand, Sharma was dismissed for 11 runs, while Kohli managed only one run. Their poor form has raised concerns ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Sharma's home season has been particularly disappointing. In 10 innings, he has scored only 133 runs at an average of 13.30. Kohli, too, has struggled, averaging 29.40 in Tests this year.Despite their recent struggles, Warner believes that Sharma and Kohli remain formidable opponents. "Their attitude, if it's on, they are two guys who are hard to stop," he said. "It's going to be a big summer for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."India's hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time hinge on a strong performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A massive win in the series would secure their place at Lord's next year.

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.

Former Pakistan cricket star Basit Ali has drawn parallels between the expectations placed on Babar Azam by Pakistani fans and the demands Indian supporters have for Virat Kohli. Ali believes that despite Babar's promising performance in the first ODI against Australia, where he scored 37 runs, Pakistani fans will always expect more from their star batsman."Babar Azam looked in good form today. His way of playing was top-class. Unfortunately, he played Adam Zampa off the back foot on a ball that he should have played on the front foot. His foot movement and how hungry he was for runs were good signs," Ali said in a YouTube analysis.However, Ali emphasized that Pakistani fans will not be satisfied with a mere 37-run knock from Babar. "Our people won't be happy with 37 runs, they want Babar to score 137. Similarly, the Indian fans aren't satisfied with Virat Kohli's 70-run knock, they want 170 from him. So, this is the case with a big player that there's no value if he scores a 50," Ali explained.Meanwhile, Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf acknowledged that his team made mistakes in their opening ODI against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Despite a strong start from Australia, Pakistan fought back with wickets from Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. However, Australia ultimately secured a narrow 2-wicket victory."We were all trying our best, whether in the field or with the ball. We had a plan to bowl short from my end. We had success; we took a few wickets this way," Rauf said.Pakistan's loss marks Australia's 27th victory in 28 completed matches at home across all formats. The second ODI of the three-match series will be played on Thursday, January 12, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has exposed a harsh reality: the team's aging stalwarts, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, are on the decline. While they remain exceptional performers, their current form suggests they may no longer be indispensable in the national team.The selectors, reluctant to acknowledge the inevitable, have been slow to make the necessary changes. As a result, India's batting has suffered, with the team collapsing repeatedly in the series. The lack of red-ball practice due to the absence of the Ranji Trophy has further exacerbated the situation.Rohit Sharma, the captain, has admitted his struggles and is considering stepping down from the role. Jasprit Bumrah, the team's premier fast bowler, has been rested for the upcoming Test in Australia, raising concerns about India's bowling depth.The series loss has also highlighted the arrogance and complacency that has plagued the Indian team. Despite losing two Tests, they continued to display a sense of entitlement, resting their best bowler and preparing inadequately for the series.New Zealand, on the other hand, approached the series with a different mindset. They were better prepared, more humble, and played with a collective spirit. Their victory is a testament to the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic.India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final now rest on a series win against Australia. However, the odds are stacked against them. The team will need to perform at their best and hope for favorable results from other matches.The series loss to New Zealand has been a wake-up call for Indian cricket. It has exposed the need for introspection, a change in mindset, and a willingness to embrace the inevitable decline of its aging stars. Only then can India regain its former glory and become a force to be reckoned with in world cricket.

Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne has shared his earliest memory of Virat Kohli ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series between India and Australia. The upcoming five-Test series carries immense significance as it will determine the teams' chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final in London next year.Labuschagne, who has been a consistent performer against India in the Test format, recalled his first encounter with Kohli during the 2018 series. "My first memory of Virat was probably, from a playing perspective, the 2018 series. He was captain at that time, I think, and he was quite intense. When I watched the series, it was a very intense series. I probably haven't seen that same Virat since then, you know, the start of that series. For a long time, he's just been a quality act, but my first memory would be that," Labuschagne told Star Sports.The 30-year-old batsman aims to continue his impressive record against India in the upcoming series. In 10 Test matches against India, Labuschagne has amassed 775 runs at an average of 45.58, including three fifties and one century.The BGT series commences on November 22 in Perth, with both teams facing challenges in their quest to reach the WTC final. India, after a disappointing 0-3 series loss against New Zealand, needs to secure at least four wins out of the five Test matches, with the remaining match ending in a draw or a loss, to qualify for the WTC final.Australia, on the other hand, is aiming to defend their WTC title and cannot afford a series defeat to keep their hopes alive. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top Test teams, with Labuschagne's performance against Kohli and India likely to be a key factor in determining the outcome.