Cricket

Team India's Woes Mount as Shubman Gill Suffers Finger InjuryAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Team India has been dealt another blow with the injury to star batter Shubman Gill. During a match simulation in Perth on Saturday, Gill sustained a finger injury while fielding in the slips.Sources close to the team have confirmed Gill's injury but have emphasized that it is premature to rule him out of the opening Test in Perth, scheduled to commence on November 22. The medical team is closely monitoring his condition."Yes, Shubman Gill is injured, but it is too early to rule him out of the opening Test. The medical team is keeping a close watch on him," said a well-placed source.This latest injury concern follows the news of KL Rahul being struck by a ball during practice, rendering him unable to continue. Virat Kohli, too, had been hampered by an injury concern but was later cleared after scans revealed no significant issues."Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there," a source told TimesofIndia.com.The Indian contingent in Perth has been engaged in intense net sessions and match simulations over the past two days. Initially, a practice match was planned, but the management opted for match simulations on the center wicket instead.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious four-match Test series between India and Australia. The first Test will be played at the Perth Stadium, followed by matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.Team India will be hoping for a positive update on Gill's injury as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in 2018-19.

Australia, the reigning T20 World Champions, have opted to bat first in the second match of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The hosts are looking to seal the series after a dominant victory in the opening match in Brisbane.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, expressed confidence in the wicket, stating that it appeared conducive to a high-scoring encounter. The hosts have retained the same lineup that secured their triumph in the first match.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made one change to their team. Haseebullah, a powerful hitter, has been replaced by left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Muqeem has limited international experience, having played only three T20Is for Pakistan's second-string side at the Asian Games in 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian cricket team's star batter, has extended his best wishes to the team ahead of their challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia. The depth of talent in Indian cricket was on full display as Suryakumar led the Men in Blue to a 3-1 T20I series victory over New Zealand in the absence of key players.Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill were unavailable for the T20I series, focusing instead on the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, which begins next week in Perth. The high-stakes Test series could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the World Test Championship final, scheduled for next year in London. India, coming off a historic series whitewash against New Zealand, will need to secure four wins out of five Tests to guarantee their spot in the final."For the squad in Australia, I wish them all the luck. I know they're well prepared going into the series, and I know it'll be a challenging one, but at the same time, I wish them all the luck," Suryakumar said during the post-match press conference.Meanwhile, India ramped up preparations for the grueling series with intra-squad match simulations, focusing on adapting to Perth's pace and bounce-friendly conditions. Reflecting on the young players' performances in the T20I series, Suryakumar emphasized the strength of India’s cricketing foundation."I think it says a lot about how strong the base of Indian cricket is. Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket going back home... that speaks a lot about their urge to go back, play for their state, and do well," he added.The Indian team is confident of putting up a strong performance in Australia, despite the absence of some key players. The team's depth and talent will be tested in the challenging conditions, but they are determined to make India proud.

Victoria's lower-order batters played a crucial role in securing a commanding 206-run first-innings lead over Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield encounter at the Junction Oval.After being dismissed for a paltry 167, WA initially kept Victoria in check, reducing them to 207 for 6. However, No. 9 Xavier Crone emerged as an unlikely hero, smashing an unbeaten 62 off just 65 deliveries, including three towering sixes. His innings propelled Victoria to a respectable 373.Fellow lower-order contributors Fergus O'Neill (44) and Sam Elliott (26) also played their part, forcing WA's bowlers to toil relentlessly in the scorching heat.WA's opening bowlers Joel Paris (3-44) and Cameron Gannon (3-59) along with spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (3-115) shared the wickets, accounting for all but one of WA's dismissals.In response, WA faced a challenging hour of batting before stumps, reaching 33 for 1. Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin remained unbeaten at the crease.Opener Cameron Bancroft, who has been struggling for form after dominating the Shield in recent seasons, continued his poor run. After being overlooked for a Test call-up for the first time since the 2019 Ashes, Bancroft fell to O'Neill for 11. In the first innings, he had managed only 12, also losing his wicket to O'Neill.Victoria's strong performance has put them in a prime position to become the first team to defeat WA in the Shield this season. WA, aiming for a fourth consecutive title, were undefeated after three matches before their trip to Melbourne.

New South Wales (NSW) has secured a resounding victory over South Australia (SA) in the Sheffield Shield, winning by an innings and one run. Former Test quick Jackson Bird played a pivotal role, claiming 11 wickets in the match.In the first innings, Bird wreaked havoc on the SA batting lineup, taking seven wickets for just 46 runs. The hosts were bundled out for a paltry 110, giving NSW a significant advantage.In response, NSW posted a formidable 394, with Kurtis Patterson leading the way with a well-crafted 71. Patterson, who had been dropped from the NSW team last summer, has now scored three consecutive half-centuries.SA showed some fight in the second innings, with Jake Lehmann scoring a gritty century. However, Bird was once again unstoppable, taking four wickets for 65 runs. Jack Edwards also chipped in with four wickets, as SA was dismissed for 283.Bird's 11-wicket haul was his sixth 10-wicket match haul in first-class cricket. It was also his first five-wicket haul since March 2021.The victory is a major boost for NSW, who are now undefeated in the Shield this season. SA, on the other hand, suffered a reality check after their impressive start to the campaign.

India's T20I team has found a new batting star in Tilak Varma, who has cemented his position as the team's No. 3 batter with back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded series against South Africa.Varma's rise to prominence has been a welcome sight for India, who have been searching for a consistent performer at the crucial No. 3 spot since Virat Kohli's departure. The 22-year-old Mumbai Indians all-rounder has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, showcasing his exceptional talent and maturity beyond his years.India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who sacrificed his own spot for Varma, has been full of praise for the youngster. "He just walked the talk," said Yadav. "The way he batted at SuperSport and here was incredible. Hope he continues, not only in T20s but in all formats."Varma's centuries have been instrumental in India's 3-1 series triumph over South Africa. In the fourth T20I, he smashed an unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls, while in the third T20I, he scored 106 not out off 56 deliveries.Together with opener Sanju Samson, who also scored a century in the fourth T20I, Varma formed a formidable partnership that propelled India to a massive 283 for 1, the fifth-highest total in men's T20Is.Varma's success has underlined India's new-found dominance in T20I cricket, even after the retirement of several senior players. It also speaks volumes about the strength and depth of Indian cricket, with young players eager to step up and make their mark.Yadav believes that Varma's emergence is a testament to the strong base of Indian cricket. "Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket for their respective states. Guys wanting to go back and play for their states, that speaks a lot about their urge to play for their state, deliver, and keep that run," he said.Varma's success has also raised questions about the future of other players who have been tried at No. 3, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson. Yadav, however, believes that the competition is healthy and will ultimately benefit the team."It's a good headache to have going forward," he said. "When they come back, we'll discuss it calmly (aram se). It will be tough, but it's a good headache to have."For Varma, his success is a dream come true. "I can't express my feelings right now. It's unbelievable. Can't imagine scoring back-to-back hundreds, that too in SA. Right now, I can't express my feelings," he said.As India looks ahead to the future, Tilak Varma is poised to play a key role in the team's success. His ability to anchor the innings, score runs at a rapid pace, and play under pressure makes him a valuable asset for the team.

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh due to ongoing shoulder rehabilitation. The series, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Antigua, will see the return of offspinner Kevin Sinclair and right-arm quick Anderson Phillip to the Test squad.Sinclair, who missed the recent Test series against South Africa due to injury, has recovered and will bolster the West Indies' spin attack. Phillip, who last played a Test in December 2022, has impressed with his recent performances for Trinidad & Tobago in the domestic 50-over competition and Lancashire in the English county championship.Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was rested for the South Africa series due to his heavy workload, has also returned to the Test fold. Joseph, who is currently playing in the T20I series against England, will be a key member of the West Indies' pace attack.Despite Joseph's return, Joshua Da Silva will retain his role as vice-captain, a position he assumed during Joseph's absence. Making way for the returnees are spinners Gudakesh Motie and Bryan Charles. Motie, who has been playing in the white-ball games against England, has been dropped from the Test side after unimpressive performances against South Africa. Charles, who was expected to make his Test debut in the South Africa series, has also been omitted.The West Indies will also play a two-day warm-up match against Bangladesh from November 17-18 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Kraigg Brathwaite will lead a CWI Select XI, which includes several promising young players, in the warm-up match.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on Friday night at a local hospital in New Delhi. The couple already has a daughter, Samaira, born in 2018.Rohit is currently not in Australia with the Indian cricket team, as he was awaiting the birth of his second child. His absence has left a void in the team's batting lineup, which has struggled in recent matches.Whether Rohit will join the team for the first Test against Australia on November 22nd in Perth remains unclear. The short timeframe leaves limited opportunity for practice before the match. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had previously expressed hope for Sharma's availability, despite uncertainty surrounding his participation.India's top order batting has appeared vulnerable, highlighting the team's need for Rohit's leadership and experience. While Rohit himself has not been in peak form, his presence is still considered crucial, especially given recent concerns over other players.If Rohit does not join the team in time for the first Test, it will be a significant blow to India's chances of winning the series. The team will be hoping that he can recover quickly and join them in Australia as soon as possible.

Sanju Samson has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. This remarkable feat cements his status as one of the most explosive batters in the shortest format of the game.Samson's extraordinary run began with his maiden T20I hundred against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12. He reached the century mark in just 40 balls, the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in T20I cricket. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed 111 off 47 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowlers.Building on this, Samson continued his extraordinary form against South Africa. In the first T20I of the ongoing India-South Africa series, he hammered his second T20I century, scoring 107 off 50 balls with 7 boundaries and 10 sixes. In Johannesburg on Friday (November 15, 2024), he dominated the South African bowlers once again, finishing unbeaten on 109 off 56 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 9 sixes.With these performances, Samson not only became the first Indian but also the second player overall to score two centuries in a single T20I series. England's Phil Salt was the first to achieve this feat, scoring two centuries against the West Indies in December 2023.Adding to the fireworks, Tilak Varma also showcased his prowess by scoring his second T20I century in the same series, becoming the second Indian and third overall to achieve this feat. Varma delivered a scintillating unbeaten 120 off 47 balls, featuring 9 sixes and 10 fours. His contribution helped set a massive target of 284 runs for South Africa to chase in their 20 overs.Samson's remarkable achievement has not only earned him accolades but has also raised expectations for his future performances. As India gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson's explosive batting will be a crucial asset for the team. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace and clear the boundaries with ease makes him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack.