Cricket

India's Young Guns Embark on Transformative Test Series in AustraliaIndia's upcoming Test series against Australia is poised to be a transformative experience for the team's younger members, who will be making their maiden appearances on Australian soil. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have emphasized the profound impact that a Test series in Australia can have on a player's development.For players like Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, this series will be a baptism of fire. They will have the opportunity to prove their mettle against one of the world's most formidable cricketing nations.Kohli, Ashwin, and Bumrah, who have all experienced the rigors of Test cricket in Australia, have shared their invaluable insights with the younger players. They have stressed the importance of embracing the challenges and learning from the experience."Gauti bhai (Gambhir) had a chat with the boys just before we started, we had some of the senior boys as well," said assistant coach Paras Mhambrey. "Booms (Bumrah), Virat, Ash (Ashwin) having a chat with the guys how first they came here as youngsters with a lot of seniors around and how they sort of felt that once you finish an Australia series you go back a better cricketer."Bowling coach Morne Morkel described the series as "a showpiece on the international calendar" and predicted that both teams would engage in intense competition."I think it's a showpiece on the international calendar since it's going to be teams that not going to give anybody an inch or a sniff and it is going to be hard-fought sessions," said Morkel.Since 2014-15, Australia has not been able to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India winning four consecutive series. India remains the only Asian nation to defeat Australia in a Test series on their home soil."It's become a big part of Indian cricket to come here and do well. It's obviously a very proud moment that India won here twice in the last two times as well as winning it in India," said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.The young Indian players are eager to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team's success. They will be tested to their limits, but the experience they gain will undoubtedly shape their careers.

Sanath Jayasuriya: India-Sri Lanka Series Holds 'Massive Importance' for Young PlayersWith the ongoing Olympic Games capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts, the India-Sri Lanka limited-overs series has received relatively less fanfare. However, Sri Lanka's interim head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, believes the series carries significant value for the young players involved.In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, Jayasuriya expressed his disappointment with Sri Lanka's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the recent T20 World Cup. He attributed the team's struggles to a lack of consistency in batting, particularly in converting starts into substantial scores."The players know that. Batters need to fire and fire big to win a match," Jayasuriya emphasized. "We have a good bowling side which can win us games."When asked about India's rising star, left-handed top-order batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jayasuriya praised his talent and dedication. "He has the passion to do well, and to do that he has been working very hard," Jayasuriya said. "He has made sacrifices and is a dedicated kid, that's why he is performing."Jayasuriya, who was a pioneer in aggressive batting at the top of the order, shared his insights on countering a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah. "He (Bumrah) is unique. We need to respect him and his skills," Jayasuriya said. "On his day, you'll need to respect him, but then there are days when he is not up to the mark, it's on those days you need to capitalize."Jayasuriya also discussed the importance of preserving the uniqueness of Sri Lankan bowlers. "We always tell the bowlers to keep their natural way of bowling," he said. "We don't change much, but we make sure that they learn from their mistakes."Despite the challenges faced by Sri Lanka in recent tournaments, Jayasuriya remains optimistic about the future of the team. "Sri Lanka Cricket makes sure that we continue giving them confidence," he said.

Amit Mishra Questions Sanju Samson's Inclusion in 2026 T20 World Cup SquadFormer India spinner Amit Mishra has sparked a debate by expressing doubts over Sanju Samson's chances of featuring in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Mishra, who last played for India in 2017, believes that Samson's age and the emergence of younger players could hinder his selection."I don't think that Samson will play the next World Cup because he is now 34 years old," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast 'Unplugged.' "There are many young players, and Virat Kohli brought forth this concept that young players perform more in T20 cricket."Samson, 29, was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team but did not play a single match, with Rishabh Pant preferred as the wicketkeeper-batter. Mishra acknowledged that an exceptional performance could earn Samson a spot in the 2026 squad, but he emphasized the need for consistency."He can play the next World Cup, but he will have to perform extraordinarily well in order to be selected," Mishra said. "Either he is now in the team, so he should maintain his position until the next World Cup, otherwise, it will be very difficult."Mishra pointed to the emergence of young players like Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant as potential threats to Samson's selection. He also highlighted the importance of experience in T20 cricket, despite the emphasis on youth."The mindset of T20 cricket is around young players, but it is the seniors who win you the game in T20s as experience matters in the shortest format," Mishra said.Mishra's comments come amid a changing landscape in Indian cricket. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have all retired from T20Is, leaving the team with a mix of experienced and young players. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players who will be expected to guide the team in the coming years.

Gautam Gambhir: IPL Should Not Be the Primary Route to the Indian TeamFormer Indian opener and current Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has expressed his concerns about the Indian Premier League (IPL) becoming the primary route for young players to secure a spot in the national team. While acknowledging the high standard of cricket in the IPL, Gambhir emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between the tournament and other domestic cricket competitions.Gambhir believes that the IPL provides valuable exposure and experience for young players, but it should not overshadow the significance of traditional formats and tournaments in their development. He stressed that the focus should be on nurturing players through a comprehensive system that includes first-class cricket, List A cricket, and other domestic competitions."The bigger concern that arises is about how many youngsters want to play Test cricket for India," Gambhir said. "I hope the IPL is not a shortcut to play for India."Gambhir also pointed out that the IPL has significantly improved the quality of domestic cricket in India. He believes that the tournament has made domestic players more competitive and has raised the overall standard of T20 cricket in the country."Today, when I look at international T20 sides, apart from 2-3 teams, I don't see enough competition when it comes to playing for India," he said. "Not many teams can match the quality that India has. So, I feel that in today's day and age, IPL has become far more competitive than international T20 cricket."Gambhir's comments come amidst concerns that the IPL is overshadowing other forms of cricket in India. Some critics argue that the tournament's lucrative contracts and high-profile nature are attracting young players away from traditional formats.Gambhir, however, believes that it is possible to strike a balance between the IPL and other domestic competitions. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive system that provides opportunities for young players to develop their skills and experience different formats of the game.

India's coach Rahul Dravid has lauded the selectors for their bold decisions in selecting young players, which played a crucial role in India's 4-1 series victory over Australia. Despite missing several key players due to injuries and workload management, India managed to field five debutants, the joint-highest number after their inaugural series.Dravid acknowledged the selectors' efforts in identifying and pushing for these young talents. "They've pushed us and challenged us to pick some of these young players, and they've picked the right ones," he said. "They've come out here and performed."One of the standout selections was wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who had only 15 first-class matches under his belt. In Pant's absence, Jurel played a pivotal role in preventing India from falling behind in Ranchi, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.Other young players who stepped up included Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav. Jaiswal, with four Tests prior to the series, became only the second Indian batter to score 700 or more in a series. Kuldeep, with eight caps, became the fastest Indian bowler and the second-fastest spinner overall to reach 50 Test wickets.Rohit Sharma, India's captain, praised Jaiswal's aggressive approach and Kuldeep's resilience. "He's got something about him, which we all need to be happy about," Rohit said of Kuldeep. "He has worked hard at NCA and is putting a lot of body into the ball."Rohit also acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead for Jaiswal. "He has come a long way to where he is right now," Rohit said. "So obviously he will understand what he needs to do individually and then what the team expects from him as well."Dravid's praise for the selectors highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing young talent. By giving these players opportunities, India has ensured a strong foundation for the future.