Cricket

Tamil Nadu's rising star, Shahrukh Khan, has been entrusted with the captaincy of the state's Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament team. The 29-year-old, who has led Lyca Kovai Kings to success in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, expressed his honor and excitement at the opportunity."It's my first time as a captain for Tamil Nadu. I have led in TNPL for several years, but now (I am leading) Tamil Nadu, it is a new thing for me. Obviously, captaining a State team is a privilege," Shahrukh told The Hindu after Tamil Nadu's innings win over Railways in a Ranji Trophy match.Shahrukh emphasized that he is taking the challenge one step at a time, as the domestic red-ball season transitions to white-ball fixtures until late January. He acknowledged that he has not yet given much thought to specific strategies, preferring to focus on the present moment."I haven't thought about anything because the tournament starts in a week's time (November 23). So, I'll start thinking soon about what to do. I don't give anything too much thought. I just think at the right place and at the right time... that is more important," Shahrukh added.Shahrukh's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his impressive performances in domestic cricket. As the tournament approaches, he will be eager to guide Tamil Nadu to success and further enhance his reputation as one of the most promising young players in the country.

Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson, two integral members of England's white-ball coaching staff, will depart their roles following the conclusion of the ongoing tour of the Caribbean. Their departure paves the way for Brendon McCullum's arrival as the new head coach across all three formats.Hopkinson, England's esteemed fielding coach, joined the men's setup in 2018 and played a pivotal role in England's recent triumphs in ICC global events. He was instrumental in the team's 50-over World Cup victory on home soil in 2019 and the T20 World Cup triumph in Australia in November 2022.Dawson, a former offspinner who represented England in seven Tests between 2001 and 2003, served as head coach of the Young Lions team that reached the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022. He joined the senior coaching team ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.Reflecting on his time with England, Hopkinson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the coaching setup and contribute to the team's historic World Cup victories. He highlighted his involvement in developing young players and assisting some of the world's best white-ball players in their growth.Dawson echoed Hopkinson's sentiments, expressing his enjoyment of working with the England team and the exceptional white-ball players it comprises. He emphasized the highlight of his career as head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final and the pleasure of working with top spinners and developing the depth of spin bowling talent in the country.Rob Key, England Men's managing director, acknowledged the significant contributions of Hopkinson and Dawson to the success of England's white-ball teams. He praised their coaching expertise and their role in developing young players, which has laid the foundation for the next generation of white-ball cricketers.

As India embark on a highly anticipated five-match Test series against Australia, star batter Virat Kohli stands on the cusp of etching his name into the annals of cricket history. The former India captain, who endured a disappointing home Test series against New Zealand, will be eager to make amends and shatter several records during the tour.Kohli, who has amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08 in Australia, needs just 458 more to surpass batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as India's all-time leading run scorer in Tests Down Under. Tendulkar, who toured Australia for the final time during the 2011-12 series, accumulated 1809 runs in 20 away Tests against the Aussies, averaging an impressive 53.20.Kohli is also the joint leader in terms of centuries scored by an Indian batter in Australia, alongside Tendulkar. Both players have notched up six Test centuries on Australian soil. The upcoming series presents Kohli with an opportunity to break this record and establish himself as the most prolific Indian century-maker in Australia.In the lead-up to the first Test, Kohli has dominated headlines in Australian media. Opposition players have heaped praise on the former India captain, but all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has injected a touch of humor into the build-up. Marsh joked that he plans to shoulder charge Kohli whenever he reaches 30 runs.Meanwhile, pacer Mitchell Starc, who played alongside Kohli for two seasons in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has indicated that he has no intention of engaging in sledging with the talismanic batter. Starc believes that the focus should be on the cricket and enjoying the contest.Kohli's quest for records and his ability to rise to the occasion against formidable opponents will be closely watched throughout the series. If he can overcome the challenges posed by Australia's formidable bowling attack and achieve his goals, he will further cement his status as one of the greatest batters of all time.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction promises to be a spectacle, with a plethora of marquee players and international stars available for selection. The presence of 12 marquee players, including Indian stalwarts Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, has generated immense excitement within the cricket fraternity.Marquee Players in the Spotlight:Jos Buttler: The English wicketkeeper-batter is a T20 behemoth, boasting an impressive record of 11,929 runs in 427 matches. His exceptional performances for Rajasthan Royals (RR) have earned him a reputation as one of the finest white-ball batters of this generation.Shreyas Iyer: A versatile all-rounder, Iyer has excelled in all formats for India. His leadership skills and aggressive batting style have made him a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Rishabh Pant: The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is known for his fearless approach and match-winning abilities. His impressive T20 record and consistent performances for Delhi Capitals have established him as a force to be reckoned with.Kagiso Rabada: The South African pacer is among the world's best, with a proven track record in T20 cricket. His ability to generate pace and swing makes him a formidable weapon for any team.Arshdeep Singh: The young Indian left-arm pacer has emerged as a rising star, impressing with his swing and wicket-taking abilities. His performances for Punjab Kings and India have earned him widespread recognition.Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer is a multi-time world champion and one of the most feared bowlers in the game. His ability to deliver match-winning spells has made him a highly sought-after player.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Indian spin wizard is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with an impressive record of 205 wickets in 160 matches. His ability to control the run rate and take crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).Liam Livingstone: The English all-rounder is a T20 World Cup winner, known for his explosive batting and useful spin bowling. His ability to accelerate the innings and take wickets makes him a valuable addition to any team.David Miller: The South African finisher is considered one of the modern greats of white-ball cricket. His ability to score quick runs and finish matches has made him a highly sought-after player.KL Rahul: The Indian batter is a versatile performer, capable of opening the innings, anchoring the middle order, and keeping wickets. His consistent performances for various IPL teams have established him as one of the most reliable players in the tournament.Mohammed Shami: The Indian pace veteran is a proven match-winner, having played a crucial role in India's success in the 50-over World Cup. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace makes him a formidable weapon.Mohammed Siraj: The Indian pacer has emerged as a solid performer in all formats, impressing with his accuracy and ability to take wickets. His performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made him a valuable asset for the team.

Delhi's young speedster Harshit Rana has emerged as a potential contender for the third pacer's slot in India's playing XI for the opening Test against Australia in Perth. With just 10 first-class matches under his belt, Rana has impressed with his consistent pace over 140 kph and his ability to extract good bounce.During India's nets at the WACA ground in Perth, Rana troubled the batters with his raw pace on several occasions. India's bowling coach Morne Morkel spent considerable time with the Karnataka man, who was also impressive during the recent A series against Australia at Mackay and Melbourne.Rana's challenge for the third pacer's role comes at the expense of senior teammate Prasidh Krishna, who has experience of playing two Tests and can also hit the top of off-stump. However, Rana's consistent pace and bounce could give him an edge in the Perth conditions.Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's international comeback might take place in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it could happen during the second half of the series. The BCCI medical team and national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to check if his body is holding up after multiple games, even though it's a white-ball format tournament.Shami, who appeared in a competitive match after a year, was impressive in his outing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at Indore, returning with a seven-wicket match haul in his side's first victory of the season. However, the selection committee doesn't want to take chances by fast-tracking Shami after just one Ranji Trophy match, having completed an extensive rehabilitation program.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has opined that India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand could serve as a wake-up call for the team. India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been dealt a significant blow by this defeat, their first home Test series loss in 12 years.Hayden believes that the loss could be a "kick up the ae" that India needs. Despite their poor performance in the series, Hayden believes that India's experience in long-format cricket will give them an advantage in their upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Hayden also commented on the selection of Nathan McSweeney as an opener for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney has impressed in recent matches, and Hayden believes that he has the potential to be a successful Test opener."Time will tell," Hayden said. "From a former opening batsman's point of view, I'd like to just confirm that he's a good choice."Hayden emphasized that the most important qualities for a Test opener are character and the ability to handle the pressure of international cricket. He believes that McSweeney possesses these qualities and has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Australian team.

Kapil Dev's Advice for Team India Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev has urged the Indian cricket team to approach the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a relaxed mindset and play their natural game."I just want to wish my team all the luck. Don't listen much, go and express yourself. Those who will play well will win. There is no need to take excess pressure," Kapil Dev advised the team.India faces some injury concerns ahead of the first Test against Australia. Captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the opening match due to the birth of his second child, while Shubman Gill is doubtful with a left-hand injury.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated series between India and Australia, commences on November 22nd at Perth Stadium. The second Test, a day-night affair, will be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 6th to 10th. The third Test will be held at Brisbane's Gabba from December 14th to 18th, followed by the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26th to 30th. The series concludes with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th.The Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes:* Rohit Sharma (Captain)* Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-captain)* Ravindra Jadeja* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)* Sarfaraz Khan* Virat Kohli* Prasidh Krishna* Ravichandran Ashwin* Mohammed Shami* Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)* KL Rahul* Harshit Rana* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Shubman Gill* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Mohammed Siraj* Washington Sundar

Aaqib Javed Set to Take Over as Pakistan's White-Ball Head CoachFormer Pakistan pacer and current national selector Aaqib Javed is poised to be appointed as the permanent head coach for Pakistan's white-ball formats. The appointment is expected to be finalized before the team's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe for a series of ODIs and T20Is.According to reliable sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed, who was initially hesitant to take on the coaching role, has been persuaded by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to assume the responsibility. The Pakistan squad will depart for Harare directly from Australia after their final T20I on Monday, and the new head coach will join them in Zimbabwe.Javed, who currently serves as the senior national selector, possesses extensive coaching experience. He has led the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and recently served as the bowling coach of Sri Lanka. He has also held the positions of bowling coach for Pakistan and head coach of the under-19 side in the past.The PCB initially sought to appoint Australian Jason Gillespie, the Test side's coach, as the white-ball head coach as well. However, Gillespie declined the offer to prioritize time with his family. He was subsequently asked to serve as the interim coach for the white-ball series in Australia after South Africa's Gary Kirsten resigned before the tour.After the Zimbabwe tour, Pakistan will travel to South Africa for a white-ball series and two Tests before returning home in January.

India's Test Squad Bolstered with Padikkal and Rana for Australia SeriesWith captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill unavailable for the first Test against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called up Devdutt Padikkal as a batting backup. Padikkal, who was touring with the India A squad, will join the 18-member Test squad for the match at the Opus Stadium in Perth.Padikkal, a left-handed batsman, is expected to fill the No. 3 spot in the batting order. He has experience playing in Australian conditions, having made his Test debut against England at Dharamsala earlier this year.In addition to Padikkal, Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Harshit Rana is also likely to make his Test debut in Perth. Rana impressed in the match simulation at Perth, particularly with his bouncers. He has taken 43 wickets in 10 first-class matches and was called up as a net bowler during India's home Test series against New Zealand.Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Bumrah previously captained India in the rescheduled 2022 Test against England at Edgbaston, which India lost by 7 wickets.The Indian team is currently in Perth preparing for the first Test, which begins on December 17. The series is crucial for both teams, as it will determine who will qualify for the World Test Championship final.