Cricket

Virat Kohli's recent batting struggles have become a major talking point ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. The former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Australian pacers will target Kohli from the outset, given his lean patch in 2024.Kohli has managed only 488 runs in 25 innings across 19 international matches this year, averaging a meager 20.33. His Test numbers in the lead-up to the BGT have been equally dismal, with just 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand and 99 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh.Manjrekar believes that the Australian bowlers will exploit Kohli's tendency to leave balls outside the off-stump and drive anything pitched up. They will also try to cramp him for room and attack his body, a tactic that New Zealand employed successfully."Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned," Manjrekar said. "They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. These days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that is pitched right up, he will look to drive.""Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one (plan) of landing a ball on the middle stump, which Josh Hazlewood would try," he added.Kohli's form will be crucial to India's chances of retaining the BGT and qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The visitors need to win four of the five Tests Down Under, a daunting task that will require a significant contribution from their star batsman.

South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter has acknowledged the team's recent struggles in bilateral T20I series, but emphasized the importance of balancing the need to field the best XI with exposing younger players to top-level competition.In the recently concluded series against India, South Africa's bowling attack, which lacked the experience of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi, conceded over 200 runs three times in four matches. Walter explained that this was a consequence of trying to deepen the player pool."To grow the net of players, there's times we have to play younger guys even in big series against good teams. And ultimately, that's where they're going to learn the most," Walter said.However, Walter acknowledged that the team's performance was not acceptable. "It's really a balancing act and there's no right or wrong. We're trying to get it right, we're trying to get rest right, we're trying to get rotation right, we're trying to get exposure right all at the same time. But it doesn't excuse the performance. We still need to be better and that starts with me as the head coach of the team."Walter also highlighted the discrepancy between South Africa's bilateral form and their success in major tournaments, such as the T20 World Cup. "The easy answer is that when we go to the world tournaments, we're picking our very best 15 players but we can't pick those same 15 players every single time we play. It's just not feasible. It's just too much cricket."Walter recognized the depth of India's squad, which allowed them to field a strong team even in the absence of key players. "Their fringe players are stepping up and creating pressure on the guys that are in main XI," he said.Walter also addressed the issue of players opting out of central contracts to play in franchise leagues. "A guy like Anrich, I certainly wouldn't doubt his want to play for South Africa and his commitment to do that. But he made a decision personally around contracting so that he could move away from playing Test cricket for a while. I think physically he was finding it a bit tough to do everything and I respect that," Walter said."At the end of the day, when it comes to the world tournaments, we want to pick our best side. And if he is one of those best players, we consider him. Shammo has done exactly the same thing. We need to be cognisant of what's happening in world cricket. It's not easy and the national side is competing with franchise cricket. The money lies in franchise cricket, not international cricket. That's the reality that we live in."Walter concluded by emphasizing the ongoing balancing act between fielding the best team and developing younger players. "And so, again, the balancing act continues."

Ravi Shastri, India's former head coach, has revealed his predicted playing XI for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia in Perth. With regular captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the match, Shastri believes Shubman Gill should open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.Shastri also suggested that KL Rahul should bat at No. 3, followed by Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel. Jurel, who impressed in the unofficial Tests against Australia A, could play as a specialist batter, according to Shastri.In the middle order, Shastri believes pushing Gill up the order would allow India to strengthen their batting lineup. He also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja should be preferred over Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner in Perth's bouncy conditions.Shastri further proposed that all-rounder Nitish Reddy could be included as the fourth fast bowler, giving India an additional seam-up option alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj.Shastri emphasized the importance of the opening match in setting the tone for the series, which will be contested over five Tests for the first time. He believes that India should field their strongest possible team to secure a positive start.

Bengal's Shami Shines with Bat and Ball in Thrilling Ranji Trophy FinishKOLKATA: The Bengal and Madhya Pradesh Elite Group 'C' Ranji Trophy match is poised for a nail-biting conclusion, with the hosts Bengal chasing 338 for victory and currently sitting at 150 for three at stumps on the penultimate day.Mohammed Shami, the star Bengal pacer, played a crucial role in both innings of the match. In the first innings, he picked up three wickets to restrict Madhya Pradesh to 276. In the second innings, Shami came to the crease with Bengal struggling at 219/8.Undeterred, Shami showcased his batting prowess, stitching together a valuable 39-run last-wicket stand with his brother Mohammed Kaif. Shami's aggressive approach, including two fours and two sixes, propelled Bengal's second innings total to 276.Shami's batting heroics were followed by an impressive bowling performance. He returned to bowl 11 overs in the next two sessions of play, demonstrating his resilience and determination.Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla praised Shami's all-round contribution. "It was great to see how Shami took up the challenge," Shukla said. "He showed his character and fighting spirit."With Bengal needing 188 runs to win on the final day, the match is set for a thrilling finish. Shami's performance with both bat and ball has given Bengal a glimmer of hope, and his presence on the field will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20 internationals has paved the way for emerging talents like Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson to shine. In India's recent tour of South Africa, the duo showcased their exceptional batting prowess, leading the team to a 3-1 series victory.Tilak Varma emerged as a standout performer, scoring two consecutive centuries in the four-match series. His unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls in the fourth match was a testament to his aggressive and fearless approach. Varma's knock included 10 sixes and 9 fours, making him only the fifth batsman in T20I history to achieve the feat of back-to-back centuries.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson also played a crucial role in India's success. Opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma, Samson hammered an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls, including 6 fours and 9 sixes. The Varma-Samson pair added an impressive 210 runs in their undefeated second-wicket partnership, marking the first instance of two batsmen making centuries in the same T20I contest between two Full Member teams.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif expressed his admiration for the duo's performances, stating that even Kohli and Rohit would have been impressed. "Two players will be the happiest: one is Virat Kohli and the other Rohit Sharma," said Kaif. "Even they would not have imagined that when they retire (from T20Is), we will get players who will take India forward in such fashion, with such powerful batting."Kaif praised Varma's ability to repay skipper Suryakumar Yadav's trust by delivering at the crucial number three position. He also lauded Samson's consistency, noting that he either scores a zero or a hundred.India's victory was a collective effort, with all six bowlers used by captain Suryakumar Yadav contributing to the Proteas' dismissal. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the charts with his spell of 3 for 20, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets apiece.The performance of Varma and Samson has given Indian cricket fans hope for the future, proving that the team has the talent to continue its success even after the departure of its legendary batsmen.

The recent Test series defeat to New Zealand on home soil has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to revive its 'A' programme, which aims to develop a strong bench of players for the Indian cricket team.The 'A' programme, which was a dynamic initiative under former NCA head Rahul Dravid, involved touring with developmental teams throughout the year. However, the programme suffered after the COVID-19 lockdown, as other countries refused to bear the expenses of hosting India's U-19 and 'A' teams.NCA head VVS Laxman is now working on a plan to create a player resource pool. The BCCI has tried to organize a couple of shadow 'A' tours, such as the one that preceded India's Test tour of Australia. Laxman is exploring ways to provide greater exposure to the next generation of cricketers.Other boards are reluctant to host 'A' series, which do not generate revenue for them. The expenses must be borne by the local board. The BCCI needs to find a way to make these tours affordable.Earlier this year, an 'A' series against England Lions was held just ahead of England's tour of India. The series provided the selectors with valuable insights into the players' abilities. The board also needs to ensure that Emerging tournaments and other series do not coincide with the Ranji Trophy, as this can impact the quality of the competition.The impact of the 'A' programme was evident during the last tour of Australia, where players like Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, and Washington Sundar stepped up in the absence of senior players.

Tilak Varma, the rising star of Indian cricket, etched his name in the history books on Friday during the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg. The 22-year-old batter became only the second Indian to score centuries in consecutive T20I innings, joining an elite list that includes Sanju Samson.Varma's remarkable feat came on the back of his unbeaten 107 in the third T20I of the series. Building on that momentum, he delivered a scintillating 120 off just 47 balls in the fourth match, achieving a phenomenal strike rate of 255.32. His explosive knock featured nine fours and ten sixes, showcasing his dominance at the crease.Reflecting on his performance, Varma shared a lighthearted moment: "Actually, I wanted to tell one funny thing—last year when I played here, I got out on the first ball. This innings was very crucial for the team and the series."Speaking about his approach, he added: "I just focused on holding my shape and sticking to the basics from the last game. I stayed calm. It's an unbelievable feeling—I can't express it right now. I never imagined scoring two centuries in South Africa under challenging conditions. Thanks to our captain Surya for his support. As I mentioned after the last game, I was injured in recent matches, but I trust in God and my processes. That’s why I celebrated this way, dedicating it to God."Varma's exceptional innings earned him the Player of the Match award. His performance was a testament to his talent, determination, and the unwavering support of his teammates. The young batter has emerged as a key player for India in the shortest format of the game, and his recent exploits have only solidified his status as a rising star.

West Indies, after losing the first three matches of the five-match T20I series against England, finally won the toss and elected to bowl first in the fourth encounter at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia. England, who have already secured the series victory, made one change to their lineup, handing a T20I debut to 23-year-old fast bowler John Turner, who replaces Jofra Archer.West Indies, on the other hand, made two changes, bringing in Sherfane Rutherford for the injured Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy for Terrance Hinds. Captain Rovman Powell expressed his team's determination to salvage some pride in the remaining matches, acknowledging the importance of starting well with the ball.England captain Jos Buttler praised his team's performance so far and emphasized the need to maintain their high standards. He believes that setting a competitive total and defending it effectively will be key to their success.The match was played on the same pitch used in the third T20I, where England emerged victorious by three wickets. The West Indies team includes Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, and Obed McCoy.England's lineup consists of Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, John Turner, and Saqib Mahmood.

West Indies have suffered another injury blow ahead of their remaining two T20Is against England, with Matthew Forde ruled out due to a thigh strain. Forde, who was initially called up as cover for the suspended Alzarri Joseph, sustained the injury in training ahead of the third T20I in St Lucia.Obed McCoy has been drafted into the squad as Forde's replacement. McCoy, who was unavailable for the start of the series due to an injury sustained during the CPL, last played for West Indies in their home series against South Africa in August.Forde's absence is a further setback for West Indies, who have already conceded the series to England after losing the first three matches. The hosts will be desperate to avoid a whitewash in the remaining two games, which will be played at the Daren Sammy Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.England, meanwhile, will be looking to secure their first series win in the Caribbean in any format since 2019. The tourists have been in impressive form throughout the series, with Jos Buttler leading the way with the bat and Adil Rashid excelling with the ball.The remaining two T20Is are set to be closely contested, with both teams having something to prove. West Indies will be determined to salvage some pride, while England will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and secure a comprehensive series victory.