Cricket

Jason Holder, the former West Indies captain, has hailed England's third white-ball tour of the Caribbean in as many years as a "massive boost" to the survival of his team as an international force. Holder believes that the tour is a way for England to repay the debt they owe to the West Indies for helping to save the finances of English cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic.In 2020, the West Indies squad led by Holder played three Tests behind closed doors in Manchester and Southampton at the height of the Covid outbreak. This tour helped to mitigate the ECB's losses during the pandemic, which could have been upwards of £380 million had their entire summer schedule been cancelled.Holder believes that England have been fulfilling their side of the bargain by touring the Caribbean so frequently. "It's a fair way of putting it," Holder told ESPNcricinfo. "We've obviously had the English coming over for the last three years consecutively. And that has definitely boosted, not only our economy within the Caribbean, but it adds a massive boost to our survival in international cricket."Despite the financial disparities between the two boards, the Caribbean has been a particularly tough destination for England teams in recent years. The Test team hasn't won a series in the region since 2004, while the white-ball squads have lost each of the last three series: 3-2 in the T20Is in both 2022 and 2023, and 2-1 in their last ODI campaign in December last year.Holder is looking forward to the contest, which he believes will be keenly contested as both teams are in a transitionary phase. "England have obviously got a point to prove, and they'll be trying a few different combinations to see what works. And likewise, with West Indies, we've got a lot of youngsters within our cohort, and it is important for them to just gain experience, gain confidence and gain knowledge. I think these series will go a long way to developing our base at a rapid rate."One of the most exciting young players in the West Indies squad is 17-year-old Jewel Andrew, who made his ODI debut in their most recent match against Sri Lanka. Holder believes that Andrew has a bright future ahead of him. "He definitely stood up. He looks a very easy-going player. He's got time, and any top-order batter who shows signs of having time is promising."Holder himself hasn't been involved in West Indies' white-ball set-up since pulling out of their T20 World Cup plans through injury in June. He will instead be a studio pundit for TNT in the UK throughout the eight-match tour.Looking back on the T20 World Cup, in which England's Super Eights victory in St Lucia proved critical to West Indies' hopes of reaching the last four, Holder acknowledged it had been a missed opportunity for a strong squad to do something special in front of their home fans. But, with players such as Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer set to face England in the coming campaign, he's confident there will be other chances for this team to compete for global trophies in the coming years.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Legendary Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Kohli's inability to control his emotions while batting is a major factor behind his poor form.Hogg's comments come after Kohli's dismal performance in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. In five Tests so far in 2024, Kohli has scored only 245 runs at an average of 27.22, with just one fifty and a top score of 70.However, Hogg pointed out that Kohli has shown greater consistency in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25), amassing 556 runs in eight Tests at an average of 42.76. This includes a century and three fifties across 14 innings, with a best score of 121.Hogg believes that Kohli's struggles in the New Zealand series stem from his tendency to overanalyze his performance. "He was more aggressive, the way he strolled out there, the way that he was trying to attack the bowling. He just looked like he was overanalyzing," Hogg said.Hogg also criticized Kohli's shot selection, particularly in the second Test against New Zealand. "He looked as if he wasn't in control of his emotions and it showed in the shot that he played when he got out," Hogg said.The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played under lights at the Adelaide Oval from December 6-10. Hogg believes that Kohli needs to switch on from ball one and focus on controlling his emotions if he wants to succeed in Australia."Virat Kohli has to switch on from ball one," Hogg said. "He has to be a little bit tighter. He has to be in control of his emotions."

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning India's Jasprit Bumrah. Rabada's exceptional performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed nine wickets, propelled him to the top spot.Rabada's rise to the summit marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. He first achieved the top ranking in January 2018 but relinquished it in February 2019. His return to the apex demonstrates his unwavering consistency and world-class ability.Bumrah, who had held the top spot for an extended period, has slipped to third place. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood occupies the second position, while India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin remains at fourth. Australia's captain and fast bowler Pat Cummins rounds out the top five.Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has made a remarkable entry into the top 10, securing the ninth spot. His impressive performances in the home series against England, where he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 2-1 victory, have earned him a career-high ranking.New Zealand's left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has also achieved a personal best ranking. His outstanding performance in the Pune Test against India, where he claimed 13 wickets, has propelled him 30 positions to the 44th spot.Rabada's ascent to the top of the rankings is a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering determination. His ability to generate pace, swing, and accuracy makes him a formidable force in Test cricket. As he continues to lead South Africa's bowling attack, Rabada will undoubtedly aim to maintain his dominance and cement his legacy as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sri Lankan legal expert Sumathi Dharmawardena as the new independent chair of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). Dharmawardena will assume the role on November 1, 2024, succeeding Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who has held the position for 14 years.Dharmawardena brings a wealth of experience in legal and anti-corruption matters to the ACU. He has served as the additional solicitor general at the Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka, where he represented the government and its ministry of sport in various legal proceedings.Additionally, Dharmawardena has collaborated with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, investigating sports corruption cases and overseeing prosecutions under the prevention of offenses relating to the Sports Act.Dharmawardena's appointment comes at a crucial time for the ICC, as it continues to strengthen its efforts to combat corruption in cricket. The ACU plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting cases of match-fixing, illegal betting, and other forms of corruption within the sport.Alex Marshall, the current head of the ACU, will also step down from his position at the end of November after seven years of service. The ICC has expressed its gratitude to both Flanagan and Marshall for their contributions to the fight against corruption in cricket.Dharmawardena's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigor to the ACU's operations. His expertise in legal matters and his experience in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases will be invaluable in ensuring the integrity of the sport.

KL Rahul Departs Lucknow Super Giants Amidst Speculation and Interest from Multiple FranchisesKL Rahul, the former captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has officially parted ways with the franchise due to a combination of professional and personal reasons. The news comes after Rahul's meeting with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in Kolkata on August 26th, which initially sparked rumors of a potential contract extension.Sources close to the situation have revealed that LSG was prepared to offer Rahul a top retention bracket, but the batsman ultimately decided to move on. Rahul's departure leaves a significant void in the LSG lineup, as he has been a key figure for the franchise since its inception in 2022. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs twice in three seasons.With Rahul now set to enter the auction pool, he is expected to be a highly sought-after commodity. Sources indicate that four franchises have already expressed interest in acquiring his services: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. All four teams are likely to engage in a bidding war for Rahul, who not only brings exceptional batting skills but also offers valuable captaincy experience.Rahul's absence from India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June raised some eyebrows, but his vast experience in the format remains undeniable. He has played 72 T20Is for India, amassing 2265 runs at an impressive average of 37.75. His ability to anchor the innings and provide stability in the middle order makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.As the IPL auction approaches, Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines. With multiple teams vying for his signature, it remains to be seen which franchise will ultimately secure the services of this highly skilled and experienced batsman.

New Zealand's historic series win against India has propelled them into contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, the Kiwis are eyeing a clean sweep in the third Test in Mumbai, starting Friday.India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand are the four teams vying for the two spots in the WTC final, scheduled for June 2024 at Lord's. Despite their recent defeats, India remains atop the WTC table, followed by Australia. Sri Lanka and New Zealand occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively.New Zealand's victory in Pune has given them a psychological edge, but they face a new challenge in the red-soil pitch at the Wankhede Stadium. Coach Gary Stead acknowledges the difference in conditions and emphasizes the need for quick adaptation."The red clay is very different, so we're going to have to adapt quickly," Stead said. "Our next two training sessions are going to be important. For the WTC itself, there's no doubt one more win would certainly help us."New Zealand's triumph in the inaugural WTC edition in 2021, where they defeated India in the final, serves as inspiration for the team. Stead believes they can draw on that experience to achieve another special result."The first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first WTC final, we had to win four Tests on the bounce and we managed to," Stead recalled. "Hopefully that's something we can lean on and say, 'we've done it before, here's an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again'."India, on the other hand, will be determined to avoid a series whitewash, which they last suffered at home in 2000 against South Africa. The hosts will be eager to close the gap with Australia at the top of the WTC table, where they currently trail by a mere 0.32 points percentage.The third Test in Mumbai promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for victory and a place in the WTC final.

India A's upcoming four-day match against Australia A will serve as a crucial test for three players vying for spots in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna have all been included in the India A squad and will be eager to impress the selectors. Easwaran, in particular, is seen as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma if the Indian captain misses any matches due to personal reasons.Easwaran has a wealth of experience in First-Class cricket, having played 99 matches and scored over 7,600 runs. He has also been part of the Indian squad in the past and has been in impressive form recently, scoring centuries in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, has less impressive First-Class numbers but has been drafted into the squad for his all-round abilities. He is a pace-bowling all-rounder with batting being his stronger suit.Prasidh Krishna is a late addition to the India A squad and will be looking to find some rhythm after returning from injury. He has picked up just seven wickets in his last seven innings across various domestic tournaments.Other players in the India A squad who will be looking to impress include skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini, and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal.The match against Australia A will provide these players with an opportunity to showcase their skills in Australian conditions and stake their claim for a place in the Indian Test squad.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention deadline looms on Thursday, sparking speculation and anticipation among fans and experts alike. While the BCCI and franchises remain tight-lipped, rumors have been swirling about which big names could find themselves in the mega auction.Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, known for his witty remarks, recently addressed the ongoing discussions with a humorous quip. "Everyone is a team owner now," Dhoni said. "Whatever player they desire, whoever is going up for auction, and whoever they decide to purchase, we should be prepared for it. IPL auction works in mysterious ways."Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, has confirmed his participation in IPL 2025. The veteran wicket-keeper batter is expected to be retained by CSK for a mere Rs 4 crores, thanks to a BCCI rule that classifies Indian players who haven't played for the national team in the last five years as 'uncapped.'"People enter the auction, and there's the uncertainty of where you'll end up," Dhoni explained. "The most delightful aspect comes from the fans. They are the ones who make predictions on which team a certain player will end up with. Look, you find yourself in a market where all teams are well-funded.""Whoever acquires you, you will need to perform for them," Dhoni added. "That certainly is the beauty of the IPL auction. It's not simply a trade; rather, it involves one player being moved to another franchise. You have the freedom to go wherever you desire."The IPL auction is a highly anticipated event that brings together the best cricketers from around the world. With the retention deadline approaching, the excitement is building as fans eagerly await the unveiling of the final rosters.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, is set to make a grand return as the skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision comes after extensive discussions between Kohli and the RCB management, who believe that his leadership is crucial at a time when the team is facing a leadership vacuum.Faf du Plessis, who led RCB in the previous cycle (2022-24), is now 40 years old, and the franchise has decided to hand over the reins to Kohli, who is still considered one of the best batsmen in the world. Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to the playoffs on four occasions. They came agonizingly close to winning the title in 2016, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.Kohli stepped down from RCB captaincy in 2021, but he has remained an integral part of the team. He has consistently been involved in the decision-making process and has provided valuable guidance to the younger players. RCB has never won an IPL trophy, and they hope that Kohli's return as captain will bring them the elusive title.The franchise has already begun preparations for the upcoming mega auction, which is less than a month away. They have identified Kohli as the leader and will now focus on filling the remaining gaps in the squad. Kohli has expressed his commitment to RCB, stating that he will play his last IPL game for the franchise.Even without the official captaincy, Kohli has been the de facto leader of RCB in recent years. He has always been fully engaged in the game, providing support and guidance to his teammates. RCB considered other captaincy options, including Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, but ultimately decided that Kohli was the best choice to lead the team forward.Kohli's return as RCB captain is a significant development for the franchise. He is a proven leader with a wealth of experience. His passion and commitment to the team are undeniable. With Kohli at the helm, RCB will be hoping to finally break their IPL title drought in 2025.