Cricket

Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has raised suspicions about the India A team's involvement in the controversial ball change incident during their four-day match against Australia A. Healy believes that India A may have been attempting to manipulate the ball for reverse swing, which could have given them an advantage in the match.The incident occurred on day four of the match when umpires changed the ball due to a scratch. India A wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan expressed his disapproval of the decision, leading to a warning from the umpire. However, Cricket Australia later stated that the ball was changed due to deterioration and no action would be taken.Healy, however, remains skeptical. He believes that India A's complaints about the ball change and their subsequent refusal to attend a post-match press conference are suspicious. He also criticized India A's decision to skip an intra-squad game at the WACA in Perth and instead opt for center wicket stimulation practice.Healy believes that Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney should open the batting for Australia in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India. McSweeney scored 39 and 88 not out in the seven-wicket win over India A and has been in impressive form.Healy also expressed concern about India's preparation for the Test series, especially after their 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home. He believes that India should have played more competitive matches in the lead-up to the series.

Rohit Sharma's recent batting performances have raised concerns among cricket experts, particularly after India's 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The Indian captain has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, prompting scrutiny of his technique and approach.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik believes that Rohit needs to adjust his aggressive style to succeed in Test cricket. "In Test cricket, intent is getting him into a safe space where he feels he can use that when in trouble," Karthik said. "It's not a method where he's using it like he's using it in white ball cricket."Karthik suggests that Rohit should trust his technique and adopt a more balanced approach. "The one thing that Rohit Sharma is not doing, which he did very well when he took up his role as an opener, is trusting his technique," Karthik added. "He went to England, he left a lot of balls. He decided that he can play shots. But what he'd do is, anything outside the off-stump, he would let it go. 'I am going to have the mental strength to bat long.'"Rohit's Test average in 2024 stands at a modest 33, indicating a need for improvement. The Indian team will be hoping that he can rediscover his form and lead them to success in upcoming Test matches.

Western Australia's dominance in the Sheffield Shield continued as they thrashed Tasmania by an innings and 45 runs in Hobart. The victory extended WA's lead at the top of the ladder, showcasing their impressive depth and skill.Ashton Agar, a left-arm spinner, played a pivotal role in the win, claiming 3 for 12 in the second innings. His performance came after a call from Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey for left-arm spinners to step up. Agar's variety and control dried up the runs, allowing the pace attack to shine.Brody Couch became the first bowler in Western Australian history to take a Sheffield Shield hat-trick, dismissing Jake Doran, Lawrence Neil-Smith, and Sam Elliott in quick succession. The hat-trick extinguished any hopes of a Tasmanian draw.WA's victory was built on a strong first innings performance, where they amassed 460 for 9 declared. Cameron Bancroft (153), Sam Whiteman (94), and Agar (74) led the way with substantial contributions.Tasmania's batting struggled throughout the match. In the second innings, they were dismissed for a paltry 98, with only Caleb Jewell (61) offering any resistance. Joel Paris, a left-arm pacer, was the pick of the WA bowlers, claiming 2 for 18 in the second innings to complement his 4 for 45 in the first.The WA performance was particularly impressive considering the absence of strike bowler Matthew Kelly, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first innings. The team's depth and resilience were evident as they overcame this setback to secure a comprehensive victory.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), a fierce rivalry in Test cricket, returns on November 22 in Perth, Australia. This five-Test series marks the first time the BGT will be played over such a long format, with a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) at stake.India, the current holders of the BGT, face an uphill battle after a disappointing 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand. Their chances of qualifying for the WTC final now hinge on a successful defense of the BGT.India's batting lineup has been a major concern, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for runs. Sharma scored only 91 runs in six innings against New Zealand, while Kohli managed just 93. Their poor form has sparked debate about their future in Test cricket, especially if India fails to qualify for the WTC final.Despite their recent struggles, India has a strong history in the BGT, having won their last two Test tours of Australia. However, the team coached by Gautam Gambhir has not had the ideal preparation this time, with repeated batting failures at home.Interestingly, six Indian legends have played their last Test matches in the BGT: Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, and MS Dhoni. With several senior players in the current squad, including Ravichandran Ashwin (38), Rohit Sharma (37), Virat Kohli (35), and Ravindra Jadeja (35), it remains to be seen if any of them will join this illustrious list after this BGT.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull's prediction from 2018 that Shubman Gill would have a more successful career than Prithvi Shaw has proven accurate. Gill's composed 90 in India's first innings of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has further solidified his position as a key player for India across all formats.Doull's initial observation of Gill's technical superiority over Shaw during the 2018 U19 World Cup has been borne out. While Shaw made a century on Test debut against West Indies in Rajkot later that year, Gill has since established himself as a consistent performer in the longest format.Gill's ability to adapt and make subtle changes to his game has impressed Doull. "He's able to take in information and process that and has the ability to make those subtle changes," Doull said. "Because I think he just wants to score runs."Gill's hunger for big runs, particularly in Test cricket, is evident in his performances. He has surpassed the 800-run mark in Tests in 2024, while Shaw has struggled for form and fitness.Doull believes that Gill, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, represents the future of Indian batting. "He's got a huge role to play in years to come," Doull said. "So to make little improvements in between Test matches, absolute class."Gill's consistent performances have justified Doull's bold prediction from 2018. His technical prowess, adaptability, and hunger for runs have made him a vital cog in India's batting lineup.

New Zealand's historic Test series triumph over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Led by the astute captaincy of Tom Latham, the Kiwis achieved an unprecedented clean sweep, marking India's first-ever 0-3 series defeat at home.Latham's leadership proved pivotal in navigating the challenging tour of India, a team renowned for its home dominance. Despite New Zealand's limited success in India, Latham instilled a sense of calm and methodical approach, maintaining team morale throughout the series.The Kiwis' adaptability was a key factor in their success. Latham praised the contributions of various players, highlighting the team's ability to adjust to different conditions. The seamers excelled in Bangalore, while different batsmen stepped up at crucial moments.Ajaz Patel emerged as the player of the match in the third Test, claiming 11 wickets for 160 runs. Will Young, with 244 runs in the series, earned the player-of-the-series award.Latham acknowledged the inspiration drawn from the New Zealand women's team's T20 World Cup victory. He emphasized the importance of runs on the board, especially when chasing on tricky wickets.Despite a disappointing 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka prior to the India series, Latham remained confident in his team's abilities. He attributed their success to winning crucial tosses and posting competitive totals.New Zealand's historic triumph is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and the leadership of Tom Latham. It marks a significant milestone in the rivalry between the two cricketing giants.

New South Wales' Kurtis Patterson has cemented his return to the Sheffield Shield with a gritty performance that helped his side salvage a draw against Queensland.After being asked to follow-on with a 167-run deficit, Patterson's 66 and Ollie Davies' 88 guided New South Wales to 256 for 4 when the match was called off.Patterson, who was once concerned about his first-class career, has now played two crucial innings for the Blues. In the first innings, he scored 91, and in the second, he played a lone hand with 66.Davies also impressed for New South Wales, taking the game on late after being cautious early. His 88 included six boundaries, and he formed a 117-run partnership with Patterson that put Queensland's bowlers under pressure.Queensland had declared their first innings on 406 for 5, with Jack Lovell scoring an unbeaten 146. Bryce McDermott (87), Usman Khawaja (58), and Jimmy Hearne (58) also contributed to the total.The draw leaves both teams without a win from the opening three rounds of the Sheffield Shield, with two draws each. However, it was a personal victory for Patterson, who has shown that he still has plenty to offer at the first-class level.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the players' preparation. Despite a comprehensive victory against Bangladesh, India's lack of match practice has been cited as a major factor in their 0-3 loss.According to reports, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah had initially agreed to participate in the Duleep Trophy as part of their preparations for the Bangladesh and New Zealand series. However, they later withdrew, citing "lack of motivation."The selectors had made arrangements for the quartet's participation in the tournament, which was held from September 5 to 22. However, their withdrawal left a void in the domestic competition, which was intended to provide match practice for players ahead of the international assignments.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that the lack of practice contributed to India's poor performance. "They should have had some practice, definitely. It's a long gap," he said. "New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do."The report also claims that Ravindra Jadeja was pulled out of the Duleep Trophy campaign by the selectors after Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Ashwin's withdrawal. Among those India stars who featured in the Test series against the Kiwis, only Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Washington Sundar had participated in the domestic tournament.While Jadeja made an impact with a 10-wicket haul in the Mumbai Test, Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin struggled. Bumrah, on the other hand, had little help from the spin-friendly tracks.The lack of match practice has raised questions about the BCCI's preparation strategy for the Indian team. Experts believe that the players need more competitive matches to stay sharp and adapt to different conditions.

Jos Buttler Bids Farewell to Rajasthan Royals After Seven Memorable SeasonsEnglish cricketer Jos Buttler has expressed his gratitude to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after not being retained ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Buttler, who played for the franchise for seven seasons, shared his reflections on social media."If it turns out that this is the end, thank you @rajasthanroyals and everyone involved with the franchise for 7 incredible seasons together. 2018 kickstarted the best years of my cricketing career, and many of my most cherished memories have come in a Pink shirt over the last 6 years," Buttler wrote on Instagram."Thank you for welcoming me and my family with open arms. Could write so much more, but let's leave it there."The Rajasthan Royals responded with a tribute, saying, "You will be one of the greatest ever to wear Pink. Forever a part of the Royals Family."Buttler's journey with the Royals began in 2018. He quickly became one of the team's most recognizable players, making significant contributions. In the 2024 season, he scored 359 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.78, including two centuries.Recently, Rajasthan Royals revealed their retained players for the IPL 2025 auction. The team retained key players like captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer. They have a limited purse of INR 41 crore for the auction and aim to make strategic signings.Buttler's exit leaves a gap in both leadership and performance for the Royals. His contributions have been notable and will be remembered by the franchise and fans.