Cricket

India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team's performance, particularly the struggles of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri believes it's crucial for these players to step up in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Ghavri expressed disappointment with India's batting performance against New Zealand, highlighting the lack of big partnerships and the inability to post competitive totals. He emphasized the need for top-order batters to occupy the crease and score substantial runs.Regarding Rohit and Kohli, Ghavri acknowledged their class but stressed the need for them to regain form. He believes their performances in Australia will determine their future in Test cricket. "If they don't perform, it's time for them to call a time on their Test careers," he said.Ghavri also raised concerns about India's pace attack, particularly the absence of Mohammed Shami. He believes Shami's experience and skill would have been invaluable in Australia. The former pacer expressed confidence in Jasprit Bumrah but acknowledged the added pressure he will face leading the bowling unit.Ghavri suggested that India could consider bringing back Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, given their experience and stability in the middle order. He believes their presence would have been beneficial in Australia.Regarding India's struggles against spin, Ghavri attributed it to poor shot selection and a lack of patience. He emphasized the need for batters to adapt to Test conditions and play with discipline.Overall, Ghavri expressed concern about India's chances in Australia, predicting a 60-40 advantage for the hosts. He believes the team needs to perform well, especially Rohit and Kohli, to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Wriddhiman Saha, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced his retirement from cricket after the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The 38-year-old has had a distinguished career, representing India in 40 Test matches and 9 ODIs.Saha's journey began in 2007 when he made his First-Class debut for Bengal. He spent 15 years with the state team before moving to Tripura. His consistent performances earned him a national call-up in 2010, and he made his Test debut against South Africa.Over the next decade, Saha established himself as a reliable wicketkeeper and a valuable lower-order batsman. He played a crucial role in India's Test victories, including the historic series win in Australia in 2018-19.In the IPL, Saha represented several teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans. He was part of the Gujarat Titans squad that won the inaugural IPL title in 2022.Saha's international career came to an end in December 2021 when he was informed by then India head coach Rahul Dravid that he was no longer in the team's plans. However, he continued to play in the IPL and made significant contributions to Gujarat Titans' championship victory.Throughout his career, Saha scored over 1300 runs in Tests, including three centuries and six half-centuries. He also took 92 catches and effected 12 stumpings. His exceptional wicketkeeping skills and ability to bat under pressure made him a valuable asset to any team.Saha's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. He was one of the most respected and experienced players in the team, and his absence will be felt. However, his legacy will continue to inspire young cricketers across the country.

India's batting woes against spin have been laid bare in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. The hosts suffered humiliating defeats in all three matches, with their batsmen failing to cope with the turning tracks.In the first Test in Bengaluru, India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions backfired, leading to a disastrous 46 all out in the first innings. However, the batting failures in Pune and Mumbai were even more alarming, as the hosts surrendered meekly against spin.Ajaz Patel's six-wicket spell in Mumbai scripted a 25-run victory for New Zealand, despite India needing just 147 to win. Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes this defeat is an admission that Indian batsmen can no longer play spin effectively."On flat tracks, we can play spin, but everybody can on a flat track. The only difference is that we play spin better than other teams on flat tracks and bowl better as well because our spinners have quality," Chopra said. "But if the track offers spin ever so slightly, then whether it is the Pune or the Wankhede in Mumbai (we fall short)."Many Indian batters resorted to playing the sweep and reverse-sweep to counter spin, but Chopra believes this is a risky strategy that requires extensive practice. "Neither we have confidence in spin, nor we have control on our shots. We are trying to find a shot when it's not there, trying sweeps, practicing it before the start of play every morning. But it's like learning a new language, my friend. If you don't know a language, it takes a lot of time to learn it," he said.Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India's batting stalwarts, failed to deliver in all three Tests, extending their poor run of form in the home season. Kohli scored just 93 runs in three innings, while Rohit aggregated 91. Rishabh Pant was the top-scorer of the series with 261 runs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India's humiliating defeat.Chopra believes the lack of domestic cricket is a major factor behind India's batting woes against spin. "When we focus more on white-ball cricket, then that habit of playing on turning pitches vanishes. We don't even remember when our main players last appeared in a first-class domestic match. So where are you going to practice?" he said.Rohit last played a domestic first-class match in 2016, while Kohli's last domestic appearance came in 2012. "You play international cricket, which is okay; but international cricket is played on good tracks 9 out of 10 times. When it happens on bad tracks, then you get caught. It's happening again and again," Chopra analyzed.India's next assignment is a limited-overs tour of South Africa, followed by a five-Test series against Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Having conceded the top spot on the World Test Championship (WTC) table to Australia, India's chances of qualifying for the WTC final are now in jeopardy.

Chennai Super Kings Retain Key Players for IPL 2025Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced the retention of five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The retained players include captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and hard-hitting batsman Shivam Dube.The decision to retain these players reflects CSK's commitment to building a strong and competitive squad for the upcoming season. Gaikwad, who has emerged as one of the most promising young batsmen in the IPL, will continue to lead the team's batting charge. Dhoni, despite his advancing age, remains an integral part of the CSK setup, providing invaluable experience and leadership.Pathirana, who made a significant impact in his debut IPL season, will bolster CSK's bowling attack with his raw pace and wicket-taking ability. Jadeja, a versatile all-rounder, offers a balanced combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. Dube, known for his power-hitting, will add depth to the team's batting lineup.CSK's retention strategy aligns with the IPL regulations, which allow each franchise to retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped cricketers. The team's decision to retain these five players suggests that they are confident in their abilities and believe they can contribute significantly to the team's success in the upcoming season.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently experiencing a temporary slump in form, urging fans not to overreact. Despite their disappointing performances in the recent Test series against New Zealand, Gavaskar emphasized that both players have faced challenging batting conditions and have been unlucky at times."Even the best players go through bad patches," Gavaskar told the Indian Express. "These weren't easy pitches to bat on in all three matches. Sometimes you need a bit of luck... But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you."Gavaskar also highlighted the importance of match practice for the Indian team, suggesting that the top batters should have participated in the Duleep Trophy prior to the New Zealand series. He noted that the New Zealand bowlers had a better understanding of the Indian pitches due to their experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."They should have had some practice, definitely," Gavaskar said. "It's a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it's going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand. But New Zealand obviously had the better attack."Despite the recent setbacks, Gavaskar remains optimistic about the Indian team's prospects. He believes that the players will have time to prepare for the upcoming tour of Australia and will be ready to perform at their best."India's Test stars now have a few days off before they start preparations for the Australia tour," Gavaskar said. "I'm sure they will be working hard to improve their form and get ready for the challenges ahead."

Indian cricket is at a crossroads, facing an inevitable transition that will likely result in a period of indifferent results both at home and overseas. The team's batting lineup, once a formidable force, now struggles against spin bowling, even on home soil. Key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been the backbone of the team for years, are showing signs of decline and seem reluctant to acknowledge their limitations.Despite the alarming signs, the Indian team management remains optimistic, with coach Gautam Gambhir claiming that the team's skill against spin has not diminished. However, the evidence on the field suggests otherwise. In the recent Test series against New Zealand, India's batters were repeatedly outplayed by the visiting spinners, resulting in a historic clean sweep on home soil.The team's struggles are not limited to the batting department. The bowling attack, once a potent force, is also showing signs of aging and inconsistency. The absence of experienced pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami has left a void that has yet to be filled.The upcoming tour of Australia will be a major test for the Indian team. The Aussies are known for their aggressive and relentless style of play, and they will be looking to exploit India's weaknesses. The series could be a watershed moment for the Indian team, either marking the beginning of a new era or exposing the extent of their decline.The Indian cricket board has a difficult task ahead of them. They need to make bold decisions and invest in young talent. Players like B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Mukesh Kumar have shown promise and could be the future of Indian cricket. However, they need to be given opportunities to prove themselves at the highest level.The transition period will be painful for Indian fans, who have become accustomed to success. However, it is a necessary step for the team to rebuild and regain its former glory. The future of Indian cricket depends on the ability of the team management to make the right decisions and embrace the challenges ahead.

Team India's batting woes continued in the second innings of the Wankhede Test, as New Zealand's spinners wreaked havoc, leaving India reeling at 29/5 in their pursuit of 147 runs. The Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver once again, falling prey to the guile of the Kiwi spinners.Rohit Sharma's reckless shot against Matt Henry drew criticism from commentator Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the Indian skipper's approach. "Trying to get my head round Rohit Sharma's approach. Struggling. That was a wicket on a platter and ends a disappointing home season for him with 133 in 10 innings," Bhogle tweeted.Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series, managed just a single run before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Bhogle highlighted the poor form of both Kohli and Rohit, stating, "Kohli 192 in 10 innings. Rohit 133. It has been a forgettable home season for the big two."India's batting has been a major concern throughout the series, with Rohit and Kohli failing to provide the necessary contributions. Their underwhelming performances have played a significant role in India's first Test series loss at home since 2012.The Indian team now faces an uphill task to salvage a draw in the Wankhede Test. With the spinners dominating, India's batsmen will need to show resilience and patience to navigate the challenging conditions.

India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand, their first-ever Test series loss on home soil, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The defeat has exposed glaring deficiencies in India's batting lineup and raised questions about the team's preparation and tactics.In the third Test in Mumbai, India needed just 147 runs to win but collapsed to a 25-run defeat on a red-soil turner at the Wankhede Stadium. Barring Rishabh Pant's valiant 64, none of the Indian batters, including top-order stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, could handle the spin of Ajaz Patel (6 for 57) and Glenn Phillips (3 for 42).Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has slammed India's head coach Gautam Gambhir for his IPL-like tactics, which he believes contributed to the team's downfall. Gambhir, who was appointed after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL victory earlier this year, has been criticized for his aggressive approach, which has seen India lose three consecutive Tests inside three days.Ali argues that Gambhir's tactics, which prioritize quick runs and attacking play, are not suited to Test cricket. He points to the example of England's "Bazball" approach, which has yet to yield significant results in terms of major tournament success.Ali also questions India's strategy of preparing turning tracks, which he believes has undermined the confidence of their batters. With the all-important Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia approaching, he fears that India's lack of preparation on seaming wickets could prove costly.

India's upcoming tour of Australia will be a daunting challenge, especially considering their recent 0-3 defeat to New Zealand. However, the team has opted to forgo practice matches in favor of match simulations with India A. This decision was made to maximize preparation time and ensure that all players receive adequate workload.Captain Rohit Sharma explained the rationale behind this choice. He emphasized that the team has a large squad of 19 players and only three days were allotted for practice matches. He expressed concerns that this limited time would not allow for sufficient workload distribution.Instead, India will engage in match simulations where batters can spend extended periods at the crease and bowlers can bowl a significant number of deliveries. This format allows for more targeted preparation and flexibility, as batters can be retired out to give others an opportunity to bat.India A, which includes several members of the Test squad, has already played a four-day game against Australia A. Rohit expressed confidence that the match simulation with India A will provide valuable preparation, especially given the similarities between the WACA and Optus Stadium, where the first Test will be played.The five-Test series in Australia has taken on even greater significance as India needs to win four matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final next year. Rohit's availability for the first Test is uncertain, but he remains hopeful of joining the team in Perth.