Cricket

KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel to Join India A for Unofficial Test in AustraliaIn preparation for the upcoming Test series against Australia, senior batter KL Rahul and reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel will join the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against Australia A. The match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.Rahul and Jurel were both part of the Indian squad for the recent New Zealand series. Rahul played in the opening Test but was dropped from the playing XI for the remaining matches. Jurel, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, has not played a Test since Rishabh Pant's return to the team.The Indian team management is keen to give all players in the squad an opportunity to gain match experience, especially the reserves who may be called upon during the seven-week Test series against Australia.Rahul, a seasoned opener, will be looking to regain his form and cement his place in the Indian Test team. Jurel, on the other hand, will be hoping to impress the selectors and earn a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series.The India A team will be led by Priyank Panchal and will also feature other promising young players such as Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, and Mohammed Siraj. The team will play two unofficial Tests against Australia A before the start of the Test series against the senior Australian team.

John Turner, a rising star in English cricket, has finally made his international debut after a whirlwind journey from obscurity to the national team. Turner, a product of England's "pace project," has impressed with his raw pace and potential, earning him a 12-month development contract.In his debut match against the West Indies, Turner claimed his first wicket, a brilliant catch by Jordan Cox. Despite conceding runs at a high rate, Turner's pace and ability to beat the bat regularly caught the eye.Turner's selection is a testament to the ECB's commitment to developing young fast bowlers. As one of the founding members of the "pace project," Turner has been identified as a potential future star for England.While Turner acknowledges his raw talent, he also recognizes the need for improvement. He has identified his pace as an area for development, aiming to consistently reach the high 80s and even touch the 90s.Turner's journey to the England team has been unconventional. A former hockey player, he completed his economics and finance degree at Exeter University while pursuing his cricket career. He credits his education for providing him with a backup plan and a sense of balance.Despite his rapid rise, Turner remains grounded and appreciative of the opportunity he has been given. He understands the challenges faced by other talented players who may not have received the same recognition.Turner's selection is a reminder that cricket is not just a game of statistics but also of potential and attributes. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, Turner has the potential to become a key figure in English cricket for years to come.

India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Indian cricketers have expressed their dismay and called for introspection.Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Harbhajan Singh have urged the team management to stop "needless experimentation" in the Test format and start playing on better pitches. They believe that the team's poor performance against spin is a major concern.Tendulkar highlighted the lack of match practice and poor shot selection as possible reasons for the debacle. He praised Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill for their fighting performances.Sehwag criticized the team's skill against spin and questioned the need for unnecessary experimentation in Test cricket. He congratulated New Zealand for their historic victory.Harbhajan Singh emphasized the need for better pitches, stating that turning tracks make every batsman look ordinary. He believes that teams don't need legendary spinners to take wickets on such surfaces.Irfan Pathan pointed out the lack of red-ball cricket for senior Indian batters as a contributing factor. He also raised concerns about the quality of domestic cricket pitches.Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India's long phase of rank turners is coming to an end.Overseas reactions included Michael Vaughan's observation that Indian batters now struggle against spin like most teams. Ian Bishop praised New Zealand's remarkable turnaround after their whitewash in Sri Lanka.Lasith Malinga hailed New Zealand's historic win, while Mitchell McClenaghan called it arguably their best ever. Mickey Arthur pointed out that India will have a point to prove in their upcoming tour of Australia.

Virat Kohli's RCB Captaincy Return Rumors Quashed by FranchiseAs the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention lists were unveiled, speculation ran rampant about Virat Kohli's potential return as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, RCB's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has dismissed these rumors, stating that no decision has been made regarding the team's captaincy.Kohli relinquished the RCB captaincy after the 2021 season, making way for a new leader. The franchise entrusted the responsibility to former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who led the team for three seasons. However, with Du Plessis released from the squad, the question of RCB's captaincy in 2025 remains unanswered."I am sorry to disappoint everybody listening. We have not made any decision related to captaincy or on that (Kohli returning as skipper) as yet. We are open to options. The only obvious decision we made was not to retain Faf. He did a great job last year and the year before that. So from our perspective, we will keep a very open mind when we head to the auction," Bobat told JioCinema after the IPL 2025 retentions were announced.Despite the lack of official confirmation, reports suggest that Kohli is eager to reclaim the team's captaincy. However, no concrete decision has been made on the matter.Meanwhile, RCB coach Andy Flower has explained the rationale behind retaining Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal ahead of the new season."We are thrilled to retain Yash Dayal, an extraordinary talent whose career is on an upward trajectory. His unique ability as a left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball in both directions, adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack - one that is increasingly rare in the auction landscape," he said."Rajat Patidar is a key member of our squad. His exceptional talent and resilience have already made a significant impact on our team, and he truly embodies the spirit of RCB. We are excited to see him continue to develop and shine in the upcoming season," the Zimbabwe legend added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a phased retirement plan for senior players following India's dismal 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand. The future of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all in the twilight of their careers, will be under scrutiny after the upcoming tour of Australia.While Rohit Sharma has expressed his focus on the Australia series, sources within the BCCI indicate that informal discussions may take place between board officials, selectors, and the coaching staff regarding the team's aging core. The BCCI is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2011 scenario, where an aging team was suddenly found to be out of touch.India's qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in England is also a factor in the BCCI's decision-making. A 4-0 result in Australia is required for India to secure a direct berth, which appears unlikely. If India fails to qualify, the selection committee may prioritize long-term prospects, giving opportunities to younger players like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal.Washington Sundar's emergence as a potential long-term replacement for Ashwin could lead to discussions about the latter's future in the Indian Test team. Jadeja's fitness and batting prowess may keep him in contention, while Axar Patel and Manav Suthar provide depth in the spin department.Rohit Sharma's recent batting form has raised concerns, with six scores below 10 and two below 20 in his last 10 home Test innings. Virat Kohli's returns have also been underwhelming, with one century in 25 home innings over the past four years.Despite Kohli's fitness, his poor form may limit his longevity in the team. Rohit Sharma is also unlikely to play beyond the current WTC cycle. Jasprit Bumrah's workload management may preclude him from being a long-term Test captain, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant emerging as potential candidates for the role.

India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked a wave of introspection and criticism, with former spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his disappointment and pointing out the pitfalls of over-preparing spin-friendly pitches.Harbhajan, who played 103 Tests for India, believes that the pitches in the recent series were excessively spin-friendly, which backfired against the Kiwis. "The conditions here were offering a lot of turn—Gaddha khoda toh tha lekin gir khud gaaye (we dug a pit for others, but we ended up falling into it ourselves)," he quipped.The former spinner emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that both the captain and the team share responsibility for the defeat. He believes that while India aimed to create challenging conditions for New Zealand, the approach ultimately favored the visitors' bowling attack, particularly left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Patel's six wickets in the final Test sealed a thrilling 25-run win for New Zealand, dismantling India's batting lineup and securing the historic 3-0 sweep. Harbhajan believes that India could have won the series on standard pitches, potentially with a 2-0 or 2-1 margin."Test cricket means that a match should ideally go on for five days and the better team should emerge victorious. I think the conditions should not be tampered with too much. If you want to play good cricket, then you have to play on a good wicket," Harbhajan said.The series defeat has raised questions about India's pitch preparation strategy and the need for a more balanced approach. Harbhajan's comments highlight the importance of creating pitches that challenge both batsmen and bowlers, allowing for a fair contest and a more entertaining spectacle for fans.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep of India has been hailed as a testament to their adaptability and aggressive approach. Captain Tom Latham, who led the charge, attributed the victory to the team's collective effort and willingness to take risks."We're very, very ecstatic," Latham said after the 25-run victory in Mumbai. "We spoke about it after each Test match. We were trying to back it up, and I guess to finally do it here in Mumbai, on a completely different surface, one that would challenge us certainly with bat and ball - yeah, we're pretty happy."Latham emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions, a key factor in their success. "I think just being able to adapt to each ground [gives the most satisfaction]," he said.The all-round performance of the team was crucial, with fast bowlers and Rachin Ravindra setting the tone in Bengaluru, and Mitchell Santner's 13-wicket haul sealing the series in Pune."We wanted to come over here and try to fire a few shots... and I certainly think we've done that," Latham said. "We've been a little bit more aggressive with the bat, tried to be a little bit more proactive, and again, with the ball, we've tried to keep things simple, understand how India play a little bit, and just try to do our best."The Mumbai Test witnessed the emergence of Ajaz Patel as a match-winner. After struggling in previous innings, Patel bagged 11 wickets in the game, including a 10-wicket haul in the second innings."Spin bowling's a little bit about rhythm, and sometimes when you're in rhythm, it's about making the most of it," Patel said. "And when the conditions present themselves to you, you have to take it by the horns and really do something for your team."New Zealand's victory marks the first time a visiting team has beaten India in a home Test series of at least three games in 12 years. It is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and aggressive approach.

Shubman Gill's resilient 90 on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand propelled India to a first-innings lead, cementing his position as one of India's most prolific batters in the World Test Championship (WTC).Gill's innings was a beacon of stability amidst the fall of six wickets at the other end. His 146-ball knock, which narrowly missed out on a century, showcased his maturity and composure at the crease. In the process, Gill surpassed former India No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara's tally of 1,769 runs in the WTC, moving up to fourth place among Indian batters with 1,799 runs.Rohit Sharma remains atop the list with 2,674 runs, followed by Virat Kohli (2,426) and Rishabh Pant (1,933). Gill's rise to the top echelon of Indian batting is a testament to his consistent performances since inheriting the No. 3 position from Pujara in June 2023.Gill and Pant played pivotal roles in India's first-innings total of 263, with Pant's whirlwind 60 off 59 balls providing a much-needed release of pressure. Washington Sundar's valuable 38-run cameo at the end further boosted India's score.With the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put India in a commanding position heading into Day 3. Ashwin claimed three wickets, while Jadeja picked up four, reducing New Zealand to 171/9 at stumps.New Zealand's lead of 143 runs leaves the Test match poised for a thrilling finish on Day 3. India, desperate to avoid a three-Test series loss at home for the first time since 1983, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has hinted at the possibility of missing the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia due to personal reasons. The series opener against Australia is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Rohit expressed uncertainty about his participation, stating, "Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed." If he is unable to make it, Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain, will lead the team in the first Test.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has gained added significance as both India and Australia aim to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand at home has put pressure on the team to perform well in Australia.Rohit acknowledged the need to recover from the defeats and focus on the upcoming tour. "We will focus on (upcoming) Australia series, and not look too far ahead," he said.After the first Test in Perth, which concludes on November 26, there will be a 10-day break before the Adelaide game, which starts on December 6. During this break, India will play a two-day warm-up match in Canberra.Rohit's absence, if confirmed, would be a significant blow to India's chances in the series. The team will be hoping that he recovers in time to lead them in the crucial opening Test.