Cricket

Team India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia are in full swing, with the team set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting on October 16. The series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial test for India, as they aim to resolve the middle-order puzzle and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Australia.One of the key questions surrounding India's middle order is the selection between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. Rahul, a seasoned campaigner with 52 Tests under his belt, has been preferred over Khan in recent matches. However, Khan's impressive debut series against England, where he scored three fifties, has raised questions about Rahul's place in the team.Rahul's experience and familiarity with Australian conditions could give him an edge over Khan. Rahul has played in two previous Border-Gavaskar series, scoring a century in Sydney in 2014-15. However, his performance in the 2018-19 tour was less impressive, averaging only 11.40 in three Tests.On the other hand, Khan's recent form has been exceptional. In the series against England, he scored 153 runs in three innings, including a century in the second Test. His ability to play spin effectively could be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming series against Australia.The opening Test against New Zealand will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which has been a happy hunting ground for Rahul. In two previous Tests at the venue, he has scored 195 runs at an average of 65.00. A strong performance against New Zealand could bolster Rahul's case for a place in the middle order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ultimately, the decision between Rahul and Khan will depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the conditions in Australia. With the series against New Zealand providing a crucial opportunity to test both players, India will be hoping for a clear indication of who will be their preferred choice for the middle order in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit Sharma Lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal's Rapid Adaptation to International CricketAhead of the highly anticipated Test series against New Zealand, India's skipper Rohit Sharma has heaped praise on young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal for his impressive transition to international cricket.Sharma, who leads India in both Tests and ODIs, expressed his admiration for Jaiswal's quick adjustment to the rigors of international competition. "I'm not surprised by how Yashasvi has adapted to international cricket," Sharma said. "He has immense talent and the ability to perform in all conditions. Despite his young age, he has shown remarkable composure and adaptability in different situations."The Indian captain highlighted Jaiswal's potential for greatness, stating, "It's crucial how he manages himself in the next couple of years. He has the potential to become a game-changer for the team. His success in domestic and Under-19 cricket, where he has consistently excelled, is a testament to his abilities. He has already showcased his capabilities in his short international career and has done exceptionally well."Sharma also emphasized the advantage of having a left-handed batter in the team. "Being a left-hander is a valuable asset for the team," he said. "He's an aggressive batsman who is always eager to learn and improve his game. His mindset is commendable, always striving to enhance his skills and not resting on his laurels. This attitude is a great foundation for him, and we have found a valuable player in Yashasvi."Expressing his optimism for Jaiswal's continued success, Sharma said, "Hopefully, he can continue to build on his impressive form and maintain his consistency. We have high hopes for him, and we believe he has the potential to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is set to take place outside India, with Singapore emerging as a potential venue. The auction, scheduled for late November, was previously held in Dubai but may be moved to Saudi Arabia or Singapore due to cost concerns.Meanwhile, five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have reappointed Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach. Jayawardene previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, leading the team to three championships. He returns after a brief stint as the franchise's Global Head of Cricket.Jayawardene's first task will be to finalize Mumbai Indians' strategy for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Teams are allowed to retain six players from their existing squad, either five capped (Indian or overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be a major event, with several top players set to go under the hammer. The auction will also be crucial for Mumbai Indians, who have struggled in recent seasons. Jayawardene's return is seen as a positive step for the franchise, as he has a proven track record of success in the IPL.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Jasprit Bumrah as the official vice-captain of the Indian Test team, a testament to his growing stature within the squad. While Rohit Sharma remains the captain, Bumrah's elevation to the vice-captaincy is a significant recognition of his leadership qualities and his importance to the team.Despite his limited captaincy experience, Bumrah has been an integral part of India's leadership group for some time. His tactical acumen and understanding of the game have impressed his teammates and coaches alike. Rohit Sharma, in particular, has praised Bumrah's contributions to the team's decision-making process."Bumrah has played a lot of cricket. He understands the game pretty well. He's got a good head on his shoulder. When you talk to him, he understands the game," said Rohit.In addition to his leadership abilities, Bumrah is also expected to mentor the younger pacers in the team. As the most experienced fast bowler, he will provide guidance and support to the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna."Whether it is speaking to the bowlers who have just come into the squad, whether it is getting internally with the team to discuss about how to move forward as a team, he's always been part of that leadership group," said Rohit.While Bumrah's vice-captaincy is a positive development for the Indian team, there are concerns about the fitness of Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer has been struggling with a knee injury and is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming tour of Australia."To be honest, right now, it's pretty difficult for us to make a call on him, whether he'll be fit for this series or the Australia series. He recently had swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual," said Rohit.Despite the injury concerns, the Indian team remains confident ahead of the Test series against New Zealand. With Rohit Sharma at the helm and Jasprit Bumrah as his deputy, the team will be looking to continue their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Test cricket, the epitome of the sport, stands as a testament to the true essence of the game. Despite the surge in popularity of limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s, Test cricket remains the format that embodies the complete spectrum of cricket.In India, Test cricket holds a profound significance, deeply rooted in history and culture. Even amidst the rise of shorter formats, especially with the advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Test cricket continues to be a cornerstone of Indian cricket.As Team India prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a video showcasing the team's practice session. The video features a voiceover by Ravichandran Ashwin, who eloquently articulates the significance of Test cricket."Test cricket is constantly about adaptability," Ashwin says. "You can't start Day 5 like how you start Day 1. Every day you need to be able to adapt along with the conditions. That's why they say Test cricket is the pinnacle of this particular sport!"The video concludes with a headshot of a Team India helmet and the caption, "WE ARE BACK!"New Zealand's first tour of India was in 1955-56, and their most recent tour was in 2021-22. However, the Kiwis have yet to secure a Test series victory in India.The second and third Tests of the series will be held in Pune and Mumbai, commencing on October 24 and November 1, respectively.

Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed uncertainty over the availability of fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Shami has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup."It's difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series," Sharma said. "He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He's at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don't want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed."Shami's absence would be a significant blow to India's bowling attack. The 32-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful fast bowlers in the country, with 216 wickets in 61 Tests.He has not played since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was included in the squad for India's two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, pending fitness approval. However, the BCCI medical team did not clear Shami for the tour, ruling him out of the matches.Shami's injury history is a concern for the Indian team. In 2015, he suffered a significant knee injury during the ODI World Cup in Australia. Nitin Patel, currently the head of the BCCI medical team, oversaw his recovery.The Indian team management will be hoping that Shami can recover in time for the Australia series. The first Test is scheduled to begin on February 9 in Nagpur.

New Zealand's Test squad for their upcoming tour of India has suffered a setback with the withdrawal of fast bowler Ben Sears due to a knee injury. Sears, who made his Test debut against Australia earlier this year, experienced pain in his left knee during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka. Scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, ruling him out of the three-match series against India.Jacob Duffy, who has yet to make his Test debut, has been called up as Sears' replacement. Duffy, 30, has played six ODIs and 14 T20Is for New Zealand and has an impressive 299 first-class wickets to his name. He is expected to leave for India on Wednesday morning, the first day of the first Test.In Sears' absence, New Zealand's fast-bowling attack will likely consist of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Will O'Rourke. Ajaz Patel is expected to be the primary spin option, with allrounders Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Michael Bracewell also providing spin support. Glenn Phillips can also offer part-time spin if needed.New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed disappointment over Sears' injury but remained optimistic about Duffy's potential contribution. "It's an exciting opportunity for Jacob, who has been around the Test squad before," Stead said. "With three Tests ahead of us, he has every chance of making his Test debut."Duffy's recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship is believed to have played a role in his selection. Stead praised Duffy's performances in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute if called upon.New Zealand's tour of India begins with the first Test in Bengaluru on February 22. The series will then move on to Pune and Mumbai for the second and third Tests, respectively.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) pitch curator, Tony Hemming, blaming him for the team's humiliating defeat in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi.Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, took to his YouTube channel to express his frustration over the pitch, which he described as "benign" and "unfit for Test cricket.""We thought the ball would spin on the second day, but it didn't happen even on the fifth day," Ali said. "The curator is from Australia, and he has been a part of the ICC as well. But he doesn't know how to prepare a pitch."Ali pointed to India as an example of how pitches should be prepared, saying that the Indian curators tailor the surfaces to suit their team's strengths."Look at India," Ali said. "The pitch is prepared the way they want to. They want to play spin, so they make the pitch spin. They want to play fast bowling, so they make the pitch fast."Ali's criticism comes after Pakistan's spinners failed to make an impact in the first Test. England's Shoaib Bashir managed to take just one wicket across both innings, while experienced Jack Leach relied on his skills rather than the surface to prove his effectiveness.Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled 35 overs, spilt 174 runs at an economy of 4.97 and went wicketless before being treated in the hospital after being taken ill. Saim Ayub and Samlan Ali Agha tasted success, but it came at the cost of leaking runs heavily.With Pakistan naming a spin-laden playing XI for the second Test in Multan, the pitch is expected to help out the spinners. However, Ali is skeptical, saying that he doesn't expect the surface to be any different from the one in Rawalpindi."I don't think the pitch in Multan will be any different," Ali said. "It will be the same flat, lifeless pitch. We will have to rely on our batsmen to score runs and our bowlers to take wickets on their own."

Pakistan cricket has been plagued by a persistent cycle of changes, with coaches, captains, players, selectors, and even board chairmen coming and going. Despite these constant shifts, the team's problems remain unresolved.The latest shake-up came after Pakistan's loss in the opening Test against England, prompting a change in the selection committee and the benching of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. However, former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the blame lies not with these individuals but with the systemic issues within Pakistan cricket."The issue is not Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah," Hussain said. "The issue is behind the scenes in the way Pakistan cricket runs."Hussain pointed out that Pakistan has used 26 different selectors for the senior men's national team, a staggering number that highlights the lack of stability and continuity. He emphasized that no sport or business can function effectively with such frequent changes."If you keep changing selectors, coaches, captains—constantly shuffling leadership—it's impossible to plan ahead," Hussain said. "No successful business or sports team works that way."Hussain also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by Pakistan cricket, but he stressed that the team's self-inflicted problems have exacerbated the situation."They shoot themselves in the foot," Hussain said. "Their cricket and some of it, you give them a bit of leeway because of the way the finances of the world game have gone with the big three, and they're picking up the scraps like other nations are."Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram echoed Hussain's sentiments, saying that he and Atherton "are onto something."As Pakistan prepares for the second Test against England without Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, the team faces an uphill battle to turn its fortunes around. The constant changes and lack of stability have created a culture of short-term thinking and unpreparedness that has hindered the team's progress.