Cricket

KL Rahul's poor performance in the first Test against New Zealand has put his place in the Indian team under scrutiny. The 32-year-old scored 0 and 12 in the two innings, and his struggles in the middle order contributed to India's collapse in both essays and an eventual 8-wicket loss.Ahead of the second Test in Pune, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stressed that Rahul enjoys a long rope from the head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, ten Doeschate also acknowledged that there is a fight for a spot between Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed in the first Test."Yeah, there's no point in sugarcoating it, there's a fight for a spot," said ten Doeschate. "Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test (and) said how many balls do you play at (and) miss at? He didn't play at (and) miss at one ball and that's what tends to happen when you're not getting runs.""There's certainly no concerns about KL, he's batting nicely, he's in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what's going to be best for the team.""Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] is keen to give him a long rope like Sanju [Sanju Samson]," he added.Rahul's dismissal in the second innings in Bengaluru came at a point when India had gained momentum, courtesy of a stand between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant. Losing Rahul at that stage put the Indian cricket team on the back foot, which led to a batting collapse.Now, as India look to make their way back into the three-match series, starting with the second Test on October 24 (Thursday), KL Rahul will be keen to make amends.

South Africa's interim coach, Dillon du Preez, has guided the team to the final of the Women's T20 World Cup, but his future in the role remains uncertain. Du Preez, who took over from Hilton Moreeng in May, has expressed reservations about continuing due to his limited experience and the team's need for additional support.Despite his initial hesitation, du Preez has overseen a successful campaign for South Africa. The team reached the final after defeating defending champions Australia in the semi-final, showcasing a fearless and aggressive approach. However, they fell short in the final against New Zealand, highlighting the need for further development.Du Preez has emphasized the importance of creating a positive team culture and providing clear guidance. He has also benefited from the addition of specialized coaches, such as batting coach Baakier Abrahams and spin lead Paul Adams.Despite their success in the World Cup, South Africa has struggled in recent series, winning only one of seven before the tournament. Du Preez acknowledges the need for improvement and believes that the team's high-risk approach will eventually yield positive results.However, du Preez's future remains uncertain. He has expressed a desire to discuss his role with the director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, upon his return home. Given the upcoming schedule, which includes an all-format tour against England in November-December, it is likely that du Preez will remain in charge until the end of the year.Du Preez's hesitation stems from his limited experience at a high level. After a 14-year provincial cricket career, he coached at the University of the Free State before taking over the women's team in Bloemfontein. While he has developed a coaching style based on his experience and knowledge, he recognizes the need for further development.

Shubman Gill's return to the Indian Test squad for the second match against New Zealand has boosted the team's morale after their disappointing loss in the first Test. Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to an injury, is expected to play a crucial role in India's batting lineup.India's batting woes were evident in the first Test, where they were bowled out for a mere 46 runs in their first innings. The absence of Gill, a talented opener, was keenly felt as the team struggled to build partnerships.However, with Gill back in the fold, India will be hoping for a much-improved performance in the second Test. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, scoring a century in the first Test against Bangladesh and a half-century in the second.India's bowling coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, confirmed Gill's availability, stating that he is "fine for this Test." This news will come as a relief to captain Rohit Sharma, who will be looking to his team to bounce back from their defeat in Bengaluru.The second Test will be played from October 24 to October 28 in Mumbai. India will be eager to level the series and gain momentum ahead of the third and final Test in Indore.

South Australia's Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has continued his impressive form with an unbeaten century against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield clash at Allan Border Field. Carey's 123 not out from 163 deliveries has put South Australia in a commanding position, leading by 358 runs with a declaration likely overnight.Carey, who is averaging 122 across four knocks this summer, has sent a strong message to the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Test series. Unfazed by the second new ball, Carey notched his second century of the summer by blasting paceman Mark Steketee for three consecutive boundaries in the final hour of play on Tuesday.Earlier, Carey brought up his half-century pulling Tom Whitney's short ball to the boundary. Whitney, who took five wickets in the first innings, backed up his performance with three key scalps early on day three before a minor heel injury prevented him from bowling further.South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney also continued his excellent form, making 72 to push his case for a Test call-up. McSweeney's innings ended when he was caught at first slip by Usman Khawaja off Mitchell Swepson.In the spotlight since his omission from the Australia A squad, Test hopeful Matt Renshaw grabbed a headline moment late on day three with a brilliant catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Jake Lehmann from Marnus Labuschagne's part-time leg-spin. Labuschagne also took a catch above his head to send Liam Scott packing.With Carey and Jordan Buckingham unbeaten at the crease, South Australia is poised to declare overnight and set Queensland a challenging target.

England's spin trio of Rehan Ahmed, Shoaib Bashir, and Jack Leach will take on Pakistan's spinners on a Rawalpindi pitch that has been prepared to favor the home team's slow bowlers. The move is a gamble, as it leaves England with only two fast-bowling options in Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes.Ahmed, who made his Test debut in Pakistan two years ago, has been recalled to the side after a disappointing tour of India earlier this year. He will be expected to provide England with a third spin option alongside Bashir and Leach.Pakistan has gone to great lengths to dry out the pitch in Rawalpindi, using rakes, fans, and heaters. The move is an attempt to replicate the conditions in Multan, where Pakistan won the second Test by 152 runs on a recycled strip.England's decision to field three spinners is a risk, but it is one that they believe is necessary. The pitch in Rawalpindi has historically suited seam over spin, but it has also been among the world's best for batting since its return to staging Tests in 2019.England will need to bat well on the first few days of the Test if they are to avoid falling behind. The pitch is expected to turn earlier than usual, which could give Pakistan's spinners a chance to make early inroads.Harry Brook, who was dismissed for 9 and 16 by Pakistan's spinners in the second Test, believes that Sajid Khan and Noman Ali will play a "massive part" in Rawalpindi. "I've spoken to a few of the lads about gameplans and how we're going to go about it," he said. "Hopefully, it pays off and I play a big part in the game."England's team for the third Test is as follows:1. Zak Crawley2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Ben Stokes (capt)7. Jamie Smith (wk)8. Gus Atkinson9. Rehan Ahmed10. Jack Leach11. Shoaib Bashir

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has identified Rishabh Pant as India's "X-factor" in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Cummins acknowledged Pant's exceptional performance in Australia during the previous series, highlighting his unpredictable nature and ability to entertain with his on-field antics.Cummins expressed his determination to rectify Australia's recent setbacks against India, having lost four consecutive Test series. He emphasized the team's high expectations when playing at home and their desire to make amends for the disappointing results in the past.The Australian captain also praised the young Indian talents Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, acknowledging their impressive performances in various formats. However, he admitted that the team had not yet devised specific plans to counter them.Cummins lamented the absence of Cameron Green, a key all-rounder who will miss the series due to a lower back stress fracture. He described Green as a significant loss, not only for his batting but also for his exceptional fielding and bowling abilities.Prior to the Test series, Australia will face Pakistan in a white-ball series. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the first five-match Test series between Australia and India since 1992.

Joe Root's remarkable Test career has reached new heights, with the former England captain surpassing Alastair Cook as his country's leading run-scorer. Cook, who witnessed Root's historic achievement in Multan, Pakistan, expressed his admiration and belief that Root has the potential to become the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket history, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.Root's current tally of 12,716 runs places him just 3,206 runs behind Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. While the task may seem daunting, Cook believes that Root's exceptional talent and longevity could make it a reality."I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on an English side, that'll be very hard to beat," Cook said. "But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person who scores 16,000 Test runs. It'd be a great achievement."Root's journey to the top has been marked by consistency and brilliance. He has scored over 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven occasions, including a record-breaking 1,786 runs in 2021. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl types has made him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.As Root continues to pile up runs, cricket fans are witnessing a potential shift in the history books. Tendulkar's record has stood for over two decades, but Root's relentless pursuit of excellence could see him break the unbreakable.

India's Test woes continued as they suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite a valiant fightback in their second innings, India's poor batting display in the first innings proved costly.After being bundled out for a paltry 46 in the first innings, India showed resilience in the second, posting a respectable 462. Young batter Sarfaraz Khan emerged as a beacon of hope, scoring a magnificent 150 off 195 balls, studded with 18 fours and three sixes.Khan's heroics raised questions about the team's selection dilemma. With Shubman Gill recovering from a stiff neck and expected to return, the Indian team management faces a tough decision. KL Rahul or Sarfaraz, who will make way for Gill?Former India batter Aakash Chopra weighed in on the debate, drawing parallels to Karun Nair's fate. Nair, the only other Indian to score a triple-century after Virender Sehwag, was dropped from the playing XI after his historic 303 not out against England in Chennai in 2016.Chopra suggested that a similar theory could see Sarfaraz being dropped, but he believes the team management will retain the young batter in the playing XI. "One more thing is important in Indian cricket - outside noise - and that favours Sarfaraz right now," Chopra said.India's batting woes were evident in the first innings, where they were bundled out for their lowest Test score against New Zealand. The top order failed to fire, with only Cheteshwar Pujara (11) and Virat Kohli (12) reaching double figures.In the second innings, India showed more fight, with Khan leading the charge. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals prevented them from building a substantial lead.New Zealand, in contrast, displayed their batting prowess, chasing down the target of 122 with ease. Tom Latham (52) and Devon Conway (54) anchored the chase, ensuring a comfortable victory for the visitors.The defeat has raised concerns about India's batting depth and their ability to compete against top-quality opposition. The second Test of the series will be played in Mumbai from December 3-7, where India will be desperate to level the series.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is determined to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India in the upcoming five-match Test series, which begins on November 22 in Perth. Cummins acknowledges that Australia has struggled against India in recent Test series, but he is confident that his team can turn things around on home soil."We haven't had a lot of luck against India over the last few Test series, but we always pride ourselves on playing well here in Australia," Cummins said. "We have really high expectations when we play Test cricket in Australia, so anytime we don't win down here, of course, you look at those series a bit more closely."The last Test series between Australia and India in Australia was a particularly tough one for the hosts, with India winning 2-1. Rishabh Pant's heroics in the final Test at the Gabba sealed a historic three-wicket win for India."The last series, in particular, was a really tough one," Cummins said. "It went right down to that last session at the Gabba, and unfortunately, we couldn't pull it off. A lot of the guys in the team are the same as those who played in that series, and we're here to make amends."Cummins identified Pant as India's "X-factor," but stressed that his team is focused on rectifying the setbacks from four consecutive series defeats to India."Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time," Cummins said. "He's always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you're going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition."Australia will face Pakistan in a white-ball series before the much-anticipated Test series against India. It will be the first Test series between India and Australia comprising five matches since 1992.