Cricket

Former India seamer Paras Mhambrey has been appointed as Mumbai Indians' bowling coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Mhambrey, who previously served as MI's assistant coach, will work alongside current bowling coach Lasith Malinga under newly appointed head coach Mahela Jayawardene.Mhambrey brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as India's bowling coach from 2021 to August 2023 under Rahul Dravid. During his tenure, India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. He was also part of the MI setup when the team won the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013.In addition to his international and IPL experience, Mhambrey has also coached in Indian domestic cricket. He oversaw the India A team and helped Bengal reach successive Ranji Trophy finals in 2005-06 and 2006-07.As a player, Mhambrey represented India in two Tests and three ODIs between 1996 and 1998. He played for Mumbai in domestic cricket, taking 284 wickets in 91 first-class games and 111 wickets in 83 List A games.Mhambrey's appointment is part of a wider coaching staff overhaul at MI. On Sunday, the franchise announced the return of former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene as their head coach. The coaching staff's first task will be to finalize Mumbai's retentions ahead of the October 31 deadline.MI finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2024 with just four wins in 14 games under new captain Hardik Pandya. The team will be hoping that the new coaching staff can help them return to their former glory in the upcoming season.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has shifted his focus from personal milestones to team success, according to Mike Hesson, the former Director of Cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Hesson believes that this mindset could prove dangerous for opposing teams, as Kohli's natural ability will lead to big scores regardless.Hesson, speaking on Jio Cinema ahead of India's Test series against New Zealand, praised Kohli's desire to win games for his country. He noted that Kohli's focus on team success rather than individual statistics could be a major advantage for India."I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India," Hesson said. "And I think that's a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he is doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally."Hesson emphasized the importance of Kohli's ability to control the tempo of an innings and counter-attack when necessary. He believes that Kohli's presence at the crease will prevent the game from drifting away from India."The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important--being able to counter-attack and knowing the right moments to do so," Hesson said. "As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won't let the game drift. It is about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack."Hesson also commented on Kohli's recent struggles against Bangladesh, noting that the former captain appeared to be in good form despite not making many runs. He expressed confidence that Kohli will thrive in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."He looked like he was moving well and getting into good positions," Hesson said. "After playing in New Zealand, heading to Australia will suit him, as he thrives in those conditions."

The Abu Dhabi T10, a fast-paced and exciting cricket tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a star-studded lineup. The tournament, which will expand to a ten-team league, has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin sensation, and Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, are among the high-profile players who have signed up for the tournament. Khan will join the Bangla Tigers, while Buttler will represent the Deccan Gladiators.Other notable signings include Dinesh Karthik, who has joined the Tigers after retiring from international cricket. Karthik, who is known for his explosive batting, will be a valuable addition to the Tigers' lineup.The defending champions, New York Strikers, have retained their core of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Akeal Hosein. The Strikers have also added Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, to their squad.The Deccan Gladiators have retained Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Maheesh Theekshana. They have also signed Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, who will add depth to their batting and bowling.The Abu Dhabi T10 will also feature some of the most exciting young talents in the game. Finn Allen, the New Zealand opener, will join the Northern Warriors, while Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand fast bowler, will represent Team Abu Dhabi.The tournament will run from November 21 to December 2, avoiding an overlap with other major cricket tournaments. This will allow players to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 without missing out on other commitments.The Abu Dhabi T10 is a major boost for cricket in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the region and has attracted some of the biggest names in the game.

The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was marred by incessant rain on Day 1, delaying the toss and preventing any on-field action. However, the crowd found solace in the appearance of local hero Virat Kohli, who emerged on the field under an umbrella, sparking thunderous applause from the stands.Kohli, a beloved figure in Bengaluru due to his long association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a special connection with the city's fanbase. His presence on the field, albeit briefly, provided a much-needed boost to the spirits of the rain-soaked spectators.The heavy showers, which began overnight, continued throughout the morning, forcing the ground staff to keep the pitch covered. The scheduled 9:30 AM (0400 GMT) start time was pushed back indefinitely, with rain forecast to disrupt play for the first two days of the match.The inclement weather also affected preparations for the series opener. Training sessions for both teams were canceled on Tuesday, leaving them with limited time to acclimatize to the conditions.Despite the weather setbacks, India remains the firm favorite in the three-Test series. Rohit Sharma's in-form side is coming off a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh, while New Zealand will be without injured leading batsman Kane Williamson for at least the first match.New Zealand, who lost both Tests in Sri Lanka last month, will be led by Tom Latham for the first time in a full-time capacity after Tim Southee stepped down as captain following the Sri Lanka series.The second Test of the series will begin in Pune on October 24, while the third and final Test will be played in Mumbai from November 1.

Persistent rain has washed out the opening session of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, casting a shadow over India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.India, currently atop the WTC standings, are aiming for their third consecutive appearance in the final. However, the inclement weather in Bengaluru has disrupted their plans. With no play possible on the first day, the teams took lunch without a ball being bowled or the coin being flipped.India's quest for a smooth qualification has been hindered by the rain, as weather forecasts predict further disruptions in the coming days. A start-stop approach is expected for the first three days at the least, which does not bode well for Team India.India's position at the summit of the WTC standings is precarious, with Australia and Sri Lanka lurking behind. India has accumulated 74.24 percentage points after 8 wins, 2 losses, and a draw from 11 matches in the 2023-25 cycle. Australia (62.50 percentage points) and Sri Lanka (55.56 percentage points) are eager to challenge India for a place in the WTC Final.India's recent 2-0 series victory against Bangladesh had boosted their hopes of securing a WTC Final berth. A clean sweep against New Zealand would have guaranteed their qualification even before the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia from November 22.However, the rain in Bengaluru has thrown a spanner in the works. India will need to make the most of the remaining days of the Test series to secure a positive result and maintain their position at the top of the WTC standings. The World Test Championship final will be played at Lord's next June, and India will be determined to make their third consecutive appearance.

Mitchell Marsh, the versatile Australian all-rounder, is set to return to bowling in the upcoming Sheffield Shield round as he prepares to fill the void left by Cameron Green's absence during the India Test series.Green's season-ending stress fracture has heightened the significance of Marsh's fitness and bowling capabilities. Since suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL, Marsh has bowled only four overs, raising concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of bowling.However, Marsh has expressed confidence in his physical condition and is gradually increasing his bowling workload. He will bowl for Western Australia against Tasmania in the Shield fixture starting on Sunday at the WACA."I won't bowl too much for WA, it's all part of the building process to get ready for that first Test," Marsh said. "It's been a slow build. I've been really well looked after by Cricket Australia, Ronnie [Australia coach Andrew McDonald] and Patty [Pat Cummins], with our planning and when I bowl."With Australia's frontline pace attack unchanged last summer and Tests played on bowler-friendly surfaces, Marsh was not heavily relied upon with the ball. However, the expectation is that the five-Test series against India will be more grueling, making Marsh's ability to provide support crucial.While some have suggested that Marsh could move to the top of the order as an opener, he has dismissed that notion, emphasizing his focus on contributing as an allrounder."I see the allrounder role as being really important, especially for when our bowlers need a bit of a break," Marsh said. "I think if you look back at the last few seasons, our allrounders have bowled maybe 10 to 13 overs a game, which is not really a lot.""But those 10 to 13 overs can be really important. So for me, it's about preparing to bowl as much as I can, as much as Patty needs me to."Marsh expressed his disappointment for Green, who is expected to be sidelined for six months."From all reports he's pretty good, initially there is always a shock. It all happened pretty quickly," he said. "Certainly with stress fractures they can be quite a gradual thing, but this one came pretty quickly.""Someone like Cam with his attitude towards the game, he loves it. The thought of missing that much cricket is probably a little daunting for him, but he's accepted it now and as an athlete you go through these things.""It's an opportunity for him to come back better and I have no doubt that he will."

Rohit Sharma, India's prolific opening batsman, stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru. With 87 sixes to his name in Test cricket, Rohit is just three shy of surpassing Virender Sehwag's record of 90 sixes for India in the longest format of the game.Rohit's explosive batting has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to clear the boundary with ease has made him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he manages to surpass Sehwag's record, it will be a testament to his exceptional power-hitting prowess.Beyond his individual achievements, Rohit is also focused on building a strong and reliable bench strength for India's fast-bowling department. As the team prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit has emphasized the importance of having a pool of eight or nine fast bowlers who can step into the playing XI at any moment."We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow, if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals," Rohit said. "That's not the right thing to do."Rohit's goal is to ensure that there are enough ready replacements, especially in the event of injuries, to keep the team competitive and prepared. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role," he said."It's not about three or four options. We want to try and do that like, you know, when it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."With Rohit Sharma leading the charge, India is poised to make a strong statement in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. His pursuit of Sehwag's record and his focus on building a deep bench strength are clear indications of his commitment to the team's long-term success.

Pakistan's first innings extended by 99 runs on the second morning in Multan, reaching 358 for 8 at lunch. England's bowlers made early inroads, but a ninth-wicket stand of 49 between Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali thwarted their progress.Carse struck early, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 41. Agha Salman countered with boundaries off Carse and Potts, but Potts eventually had him caught for 53. Jack Leach claimed Sajid Khan for 19, leaving Pakistan vulnerable at 309 for 8.However, Jamal and Noman showed resilience, adding 49 runs for the ninth wicket. Jamal, despite hip discomfort, remained unbeaten on 37, while Noman played a range of deft sweeps and pulled Brydon Carse for four.England's bowlers, despite a productive start, were unable to break through the Jamal-Noman partnership. Pakistan's innings was characterized by a mix of early wickets and late resistance, setting up an intriguing contest in the second session.

Steven Smith's brief stint as an opener in Australia's Test team has come to an end, with the former captain expressing a desire to return to his previous position at No. 4. While the move to open was initially met with criticism, it has sparked a debate about the potential consequences of denying Smith's request.Smith's decision to open the batting was driven by a desire for a fresh challenge and a belief that he could contribute more to the team in that role. Despite initial resistance from the captain and coach, Smith's persistence led to the team hierarchy agreeing to accommodate his request.However, Smith's performance as an opener has been mixed. While he made a match-winning 174 not out in New Zealand, his overall average of 28.50 across eight innings was below his usual standards. This has led to questions about whether the move was a success or a failure.Despite his modest average, Smith's performance as an opener was comparable to that of other openers in the same conditions. Usman Khawaja, Tom Latham, and Will Young all averaged less than 35 in the same four Tests. Additionally, Smith's move to open allowed Cameron Green to bat at No. 4, where he made a significant impact.The decision to move Smith back to No. 4 has potential implications for the team leadership. The new opener will feel pressure to prove themselves, knowing that they were not the first choice. A bolt from the blue like Sam Konstas could provide a clean slate, but it would also raise questions about Green's future in the team.Ultimately, Smith's time as a Test opener will likely be a footnote in his storied career. However, it has raised important questions about the role of player input in team selection and the consequences of denying a player's request for a change.