Cricket

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian has predicted a resounding victory for the hosts in the upcoming first Test against India, scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. Julian's bold prediction stems from India's recent struggles, particularly their humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month.Julian believes that India's captaincy woes, with Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test due to personal reasons, could further hinder their chances. He suggests that Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to lead the team in Sharma's absence, may face additional pressure that could impact his bowling performance."The Aussies will clean up India in 4 days," Julian asserted. "There are worrying signs for India, straight at the top. Rohit Sharma is not playing the first Test; he has come out and said that. So Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side. Now that's a lot of pressure when you're the opening bowler. He is a wonderful bowler; no doubt about that. But all of a sudden when you're opening the bowling and captaining the side, that's a whole different ball game."Julian also expressed concerns about Virat Kohli's form, suggesting that the star batter is not in sync with Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. "The way that Virat Kohli got out against New Zealand - for him to get out like that in that Test series was unbelievable. Kohli is not at his best. He is not gelling with the captain probably and the coach but having said that, he can quickly turn it around. But if they start pulling in Perth, I reckon it'll be all over," he added.Kohli's presence in Australia has always generated significant buzz, but this series holds immense importance for him. It is viewed as a make-or-break phase in his illustrious career, with the former Indian captain under pressure to regain his form and secure his spot in the Test team amid a potential transition phase.Kohli's current form is a cause for concern. In 19 international matches this year, the 80-time centurion has managed to score only 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with just two half-centuries in 25 innings and a highest score of 76. His struggles in Test cricket have been particularly troubling, given his past dominance in the format.

KL Rahul's Injury Woes Continue Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy OpenerIndian star batter KL Rahul's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener against Australia is in doubt after he was forced to retire hurt during an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA.Rahul was struck by a rising delivery and was seen leaving the ground in discomfort, escorted by a physio. The incident has raised concerns about his fitness and form, which have been under scrutiny in recent times.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rahul is a candidate to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening Test, with skipper Rohit Sharma likely to be unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child.Rahul's recent performances have been underwhelming. In the home series against New Zealand, he was dismissed for scores of 0 and 12 in his only Test appearance, leading to his exclusion from the next two Tests. His struggles continued in a recent India A game against Australia A, where he scored only 4 and 10.The pressure is mounting on Rahul to regain his form as India looks to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the challenging Australian conditions. India are aiming for their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, a feat that would cement their status as one of the world's leading Test teams.Rahul's injury is a setback for India, who are already dealing with the absence of several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami. The team management will be hoping that Rahul recovers in time for the first Test, but his participation remains uncertain at this stage.

Afghanistan Women's Cricket Team to Play Historic Match in MelbourneAn Afghanistan women's cricket team, composed of refugees now residing in Australia, will make history by playing a match in Melbourne in January. This will be the first time the team has reunited since fleeing their homeland following the Taliban takeover.The T20 match between an Afghanistan Women's XI and a Cricket Without Borders XI will take place on January 30 at Junction Oval, preceding the opening day of the floodlit Women's Ashes Test at the MCG.The players involved escaped Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban seized power and now reside in Canberra and Melbourne. While many play for local cricket clubs, they have been unable to form a representative team until now.The Australian government has played a crucial role in facilitating the match. "Numerous individuals from the cricket community and beyond have collaborated to support the Afghanistan women's team members since their relocation to Australia," said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley. "This match will serve as a testament to their efforts."Earlier this year, 17 players who were contracted to the Afghanistan Cricket Board in 2020 penned a letter to the ICC requesting assistance in establishing a refugee team in Australia. "Our goal is to showcase our talent, inspire women in Afghanistan, and highlight the challenges they face," the letter stated. "We aspire to compete at the highest level, like the Afghanistan men's team."On Tuesday, CA announced a partnership with UNICEF Australia as part of the foundation's "Until Every Girl Can Play" campaign, which promotes gender equality.The match will not only be a celebration of the team's resilience but also a symbol of hope for women in Afghanistan. It will demonstrate the power of sport to unite and empower individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that Virat Kohli has the experience and ability to overcome his recent batting struggles and perform well in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Kohli has been in poor form with the bat, scoring just 93 runs in six innings during India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home. However, Gavaskar is confident that Kohli will turn things around, especially considering his exceptional record in Australia."Yes, I do [believe he will turn things around]," Gavaskar said in an interview with Star Sports. "That's because he hasn't got runs against New Zealand. He'll be very, very hungry."Kohli has a strong record in Australia, having scored 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. He has also scored six centuries and four fifties Down Under."Even in that Adelaide Test match, where in the second innings we got out for 36, in the first innings, Kohli had got 70 plus if I recall correctly," Gavaskar said. "So, all the times he has played in Adelaide, he has got runs."Gavaskar suggested that if Kohli can survive the initial few balls of his innings and calm his nerves, he will be able to score big runs."Before Adelaide, it's Perth. He got one of the finest centuries at Perth in 2018-19. Terrific, terrific 100," Gavaskar said. "So, when you have got runs under your belt on certain grounds, you just feel a little bit confident."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series kicks off on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, a day-night affair, is scheduled from December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground is set for December 26 to 30, followed by the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

IPL Mega Auction: BCCI Unveils Two Marquee Player ListsAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant change in the bidding process. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature two sets of marquee players, each comprising 8-9 individuals.This move marks a departure from the previous mega-auction in 2022, which utilized only one marquee list. However, it aligns with the format employed in the 2018 and 2014 auctions.The marquee players are expected to include top-tier talent such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Jos Buttler. Notably, Ben Stokes, who would have been a marquee player, has opted out of this year's auction.Each marquee player will have a base price of INR 2 crore, which could potentially exhaust 30-50% of the total auction purse. Franchises are expected to secure at least two prominent players each, with an average cost of INR 20-25 crore. This could amount to INR 200-250 crore from the total purse of Rs 641.5 crore.It's important to note that franchises have already allocated Rs 558.5 crore of their permitted INR 1200 crore during recent retentions. The auction's trajectory will likely hinge on the bids placed for players in the first two sets, many of whom are expected to be sold.Punjab Kings, holding the largest available purse at INR 110.5 crore, are well-positioned to acquire top players. The BCCI will soon announce the precise bidding order and the marquee list. They recently distributed a register of 1,574 names, including 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players. This roster comprises 320 capped, 1224 uncapped, and 30 Associate players. Additionally, franchises have retained a total of 46 players.

India's Bowling Depth Poses Significant Challenge for Australia, Says Usman KhawajaAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian opener Usman Khawaja has emphasized the formidable depth of India's bowling attack, cautioning that it extends beyond the renowned Jasprit Bumrah.While acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional abilities, Khawaja highlighted the equally impressive skills of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. "Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers," Khawaja told Fox Cricket. "I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He's a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers."Khawaja also praised Shami, describing him as "very underrated" and a "very good bowler" when fit. He further noted the presence of quality spinners in India's lineup, complementing their fast bowlers."So for me it's never ... I'm just not thinking about Jasprit Bumrah," Khawaja explained. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him. And I'm sure all good batsmen would tell you exactly the same thing because if he misses, well, then I'm coming and then if he bowls good stuff, then I'll respect that."Khawaja's approach to facing India's bowlers is centered on scoring runs rather than dwelling on the possibility of getting out. "You want to ask me where do you think... I'm not thinking about where he is getting me out," he said. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy commences on November 22nd in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval under the lights. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

The Champions Trophy 2025, a prestigious cricket tournament, has become a subject of intense debate due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. Pakistan is designated as the host nation, but India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event has thrown the tournament's fate into uncertainty.India's decision stems from concerns about the safety of its players in Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cited a history of terrorist acts and cross-border terrorism as reasons for its reluctance to tour Pakistan. The BCCI has reportedly submitted a dossier to the International Cricket Council (ICC) outlining its concerns.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on the other hand, has taken a hard stance, rejecting the possibility of a "hybrid model" that would see some matches played in a neutral venue. The PCB has also requested a written explanation from the ICC regarding India's refusal to travel to Pakistan.The ICC now faces a difficult task in resolving the matter. It has three options:1. Convince the PCB to accept India's proposal for a hybrid model, with matches played in both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).2. Move the entire tournament out of Pakistan, which could lead to the PCB withdrawing its team from the competition.3. Postpone the Champions Trophy indefinitely, which would have significant financial implications for both the ICC and the PCB.The ICC's decision will have a major impact on the future of the Champions Trophy and the relationship between India and Pakistan in international cricket.

The fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remain at loggerheads over the tournament's venue.The BCCI has refused to travel to Pakistan for the event, citing security concerns. The PCB has rejected a "hybrid model" that would see some matches, including India's, played at a neutral ground.Amidst the impasse, speculation has emerged that the tournament could be shifted to India if Pakistan withdraws. A report by Sports Tak claims that discussions within the BCCI have explored this possibility.The report suggests that the ICC could face significant financial penalties if Pakistan pulls out, as the India-Pakistan clash is a major draw for broadcasters. However, the BCCI has not yet made any formal proposal to host the tournament.Cricbuzz has reported that an unnamed "key official" has criticized the ICC for not being more proactive in resolving the issue. The publication notes that India's refusal to travel to Pakistan has been known for some time, and that no objections were raised when the Champions Trophy schedule was announced.The ICC has not yet commented on the latest developments. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 26 to March 18, 2025.

England's Twenty20 International (T20I) series triumph over the West Indies in St Lucia marks a significant milestone for the team. After a rain-delayed start, England emerged victorious in a tense match, securing their first white-ball series win in the Caribbean since 2019.The West Indies' innings began with a shaky start, losing five wickets for just 37 runs. However, a resilient half-century from captain Rovman Powell (51) and a valuable contribution from Romario Shepherd (28) helped the team recover, setting a target of 146 runs for England.England's chase faced early setbacks with the dismissals of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell. Sam Curran (41) and Liam Livingstone (39) steadied the innings, guiding England towards the target. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, England managed to reach the target with just four balls to spare.Saqib Mahmood was England's standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 17 runs. The victory is a positive sign for England after disappointing performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup.The series has also witnessed a trend of the team winning the coin toss going on to win the match. This has been the case in all three One Day Internationals and the first two Twenty20 Internationals.With two more T20 matches remaining in St Lucia this weekend, England will aim to complete a series sweep and continue their momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.