Cricket

Sarfaraz Khan Suffers Injury Scare in Team India's Perth Training SessionIndian batter Sarfaraz Khan has raised concerns after sustaining an injury during Team India's training session in Perth. The incident occurred while Sarfaraz was batting in the nets, preparing for the upcoming first Test against Australia.The 27-year-old was struck on his right elbow, causing him to walk off the field in visible pain. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but Sarfaraz's abrupt departure has raised concerns given his recent impressive form.Sarfaraz is a contender to play in the Perth Test at Optus Stadium, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to be absent due to personal reasons. He faces competition for the middle-order spot from experienced batter KL Rahul and promising wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.Sarfaraz has a solid Test record, having scored 371 runs in six matches at an average of 37.10. He has registered a century, three fifties, and a top score of 150. However, he has yet to play a Test outside India, and the challenge of proving himself on Australia's fast and bouncy pitches awaits him.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Sarfaraz's condition and hoping that the injury is not serious. His availability for the Perth Test will be crucial, as India aims to start the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on a positive note.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has put himself in contention for a spot on the upcoming Australian tour with an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, Shami claimed four wickets, boosting his chances of joining the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the World Cup final in November 2022. Since then, he has undergone ankle surgery and suffered a knee injury during his recovery. The Indian team management was keen to assess his fitness before considering him for the Australian tour.In response, Shami bowled four spells across 57 overs, taking 4 wickets for 54 runs. His performance has impressed the selectors, who were eager to see him in action before making a decision."Obviously, Shami was asked to play this game keeping in mind that the next round of Ranji Trophy will only start on January 23 after the Test season is over," said a BCCI source. "So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most part of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second innings). Suppose he bowls another 15 to 18 overs in the second innings, that's a very decent amount of overs bowled."The source added, "But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test."The national selection committee will assess Shami's fitness after the Ranji match concludes on November 16. If cleared, he might join the Indian team before the second Test against Australia, starting on December 6.Shami's return to fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The experienced pacer brings a wealth of experience and skill to the bowling attack, and his inclusion would strengthen India's chances of success Down Under.

Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has extended his support to his new opening partner, Nathan McSweeney, ahead of their Test debut against India in Perth. Khawaja emphasized the importance of McSweeney playing to his strengths rather than attempting to emulate David Warner, who he described as a "special player."Khawaja, who has amassed nearly 5,500 runs in 73 Tests, believes that the notion of needing to score runs at a rapid pace is a misconception. He advised McSweeney to focus on "repeating the process" that has brought him success in the past."I don't know where this myth started that you needed someone to score really fast. As an opener, you're trying to score runs, and you've got five days to do it," Khawaja said. "Opening is as much about scoring runs as it is about absorbing that time."Khawaja acknowledged Warner's exceptional ability to switch gears effortlessly in the Test format. However, he cautioned McSweeney against trying to replicate Warner's style."Davey (Warner) was special. He could score runs while absorbing. He could sometimes score 100 off 100 balls, but he didn't do it every time. Sometimes it took him 170, 180 balls to get that 100," Khawaja said. "He was consistent, he was out there, he was setting a platform for guys later to come in and score runs."Khawaja expressed confidence in McSweeney's ability to both score runs and bat time. "I think Nathan does that really well. He can score runs, but he can also bat time. They're really important facets to have in Test cricket if you want to set games up."Khawaja warned McSweeney that there were "no guarantees in cricket" but said that the 25-year-old batter didn't "have to do anything different" in the Test arena. "You just try to repeat the process... The only thing that really changes is that you have a few more people watching."Khawaja believes that McSweeney has the temperament and skills to handle the demands of Test cricket. "You always go through ups and downs in cricket, but when you look at Nathan, you look at his demeanor, you look at the way he plays, you feel that over a longer period of time that, yes, this guy will be able to handle the scrutiny of Test cricket and the pressure of Test cricket."

Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy preparations have hit a snag as assistant coach Daniel Vettori is set to depart midway through the first Test to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction. Vettori, who is also the head coach of IPL runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), will need to be present for the auction, which clashes with the Test match days.The IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled for November 24 and 25, coinciding with the first Australia-India Test in Perth, which runs from November 22 to 26. Vettori's absence will be a significant blow to Australia, who are looking to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing it in India last year.Vettori is not the only Australian coaching staff member who will be leaving for the IPL auction. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who are head coaches of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) respectively, are also expected to depart midway through the Perth Test.The IPL's growing stature and financial clout have made it increasingly difficult for players and coaches to prioritize international commitments. The league is now one of the richest and most-watched in the world, offering lucrative contracts and the opportunity to work with top players and coaches.Vettori's departure highlights the challenges facing cricket boards in balancing the demands of international cricket with the allure of the IPL. While the IPL provides financial benefits and opportunities for players and coaches, it can also disrupt national team preparations and create scheduling conflicts.Despite the challenges, Australia will be determined to put on a strong performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They will be led by Pat Cummins, who is also retained by SRH along with Travis Head. The team will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss in India and reclaim the trophy on home soil.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India promises to be an enthralling spectacle, with both teams eager to prove their dominance. For the Indian cricketers, the challenge of playing in Australia's demanding conditions looms large.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar emphasized the significance of the series, stating that it presents the ultimate test for Indian cricketers. India's recent dominance in the series, with four consecutive series wins, has instilled a sense of confidence within the team. However, Nayar cautioned that overcoming the challenges of Australian conditions requires a special mindset."It's one of the toughest challenges for an Indian cricketer, coming here and overcoming it," Nayar said. "I think a lot of the young boys are really keen and raring to go and hopefully make a name for themselves by the end of this tour."The Border-Gavaskar series will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the captivating day-night format. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes a blend of experienced and promising players. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, and Virat Kohli are among the senior players expected to play key roles.The series is poised to be a fierce battle between two of the world's top cricketing nations. India will be determined to extend its winning streak, while Australia will be eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil.

Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI against New Zealand was a testament to their bowlers' resilience and adaptability. Despite a strong start from New Zealand's openers, Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to turn the tide and secure a 45-run victory via the DLS method.Kusal Mendis, who scored a career-best 143, was named Player of the Match. However, it was the bowlers who laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's success. Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Maheesh Theekshana faced a challenging situation after heavy rain during the innings break. The wet ball and outfield made it difficult for them to control the run rate.Theekshana eventually provided the breakthrough with a double-strike in the 14th over, removing both openers. Charith Asalanka then struck in consecutive overs, reducing New Zealand from 88 for 0 to 100 for 4. Asalanka's bowling exploits have become increasingly valuable for Sri Lanka, as he has picked up nine wickets in his last nine ODIs.Sri Lanka's decision to go with just four frontline bowlers was justified by Asalanka's performance. The trio of Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage provides Sri Lanka with flexibility in their bowling options.While the long-term feasibility of this strategy remains questionable, Sri Lanka is currently content with trialing out their current combination. The bowlers' ability to adapt to challenging conditions and execute their plans effectively was crucial in their victory against New Zealand.

India's Young Guns Embark on Transformative Test Series in AustraliaIndia's upcoming Test series against Australia is poised to be a transformative experience for the team's younger members, who will be making their maiden appearances on Australian soil. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have emphasized the profound impact that a Test series in Australia can have on a player's development.For players like Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, this series will be a baptism of fire. They will have the opportunity to prove their mettle against one of the world's most formidable cricketing nations.Kohli, Ashwin, and Bumrah, who have all experienced the rigors of Test cricket in Australia, have shared their invaluable insights with the younger players. They have stressed the importance of embracing the challenges and learning from the experience."Gauti bhai (Gambhir) had a chat with the boys just before we started, we had some of the senior boys as well," said assistant coach Paras Mhambrey. "Booms (Bumrah), Virat, Ash (Ashwin) having a chat with the guys how first they came here as youngsters with a lot of seniors around and how they sort of felt that once you finish an Australia series you go back a better cricketer."Bowling coach Morne Morkel described the series as "a showpiece on the international calendar" and predicted that both teams would engage in intense competition."I think it's a showpiece on the international calendar since it's going to be teams that not going to give anybody an inch or a sniff and it is going to be hard-fought sessions," said Morkel.Since 2014-15, Australia has not been able to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India winning four consecutive series. India remains the only Asian nation to defeat Australia in a Test series on their home soil."It's become a big part of Indian cricket to come here and do well. It's obviously a very proud moment that India won here twice in the last two times as well as winning it in India," said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.The young Indian players are eager to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team's success. They will be tested to their limits, but the experience they gain will undoubtedly shape their careers.

Australia's Usman Khawaja has shared his insights on facing India's enigmatic fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, acknowledging the initial awkwardness of his unique action but emphasizing that it becomes more manageable with familiarity.Khawaja, who has faced 155 deliveries from Bumrah in seven Test innings, has managed to score 43 runs without being dismissed. He attributes this to adjusting to Bumrah's unconventional bowling style."Initially, it's his action that stands out," Khawaja explained. "It's different and bizarre, with his release point much higher than other bowlers. He seems to push the ball out further, making it appear faster than expected."However, Khawaja believes that once batters become accustomed to Bumrah's action, they can better anticipate his deliveries. "It's fine once you get used to it," he said. "I've played against him a lot, and while he can still dismiss me early, it's not as awkward as the first time."Despite the focus on Bumrah, Khawaja cautions against overlooking the rest of India's bowling attack. "They have a lot of other good bowlers," he said. "Mohammed Siraj is excellent against both right-handers and left-handers. Mohammed Shami is underrated, and they have quality spinners as well."Khawaja emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on Bumrah's threat but rather focusing on scoring runs against him. "I'm not thinking about where he's getting me out," he said. "I'm thinking about where I can score runs. That's what good batsmen do. If he misses, I'll capitalize; if he bowls well, I'll respect it."With Australia set to face India in a five-match Test series, Khawaja's experience against Bumrah will be invaluable. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Khawaja will be expected to play a key role as Australia's opening batsman.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the ongoing impasse surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, has been thrown into jeopardy after India's refusal to travel to the country due to diplomatic tensions.Despite India's long-standing stance of not touring Pakistan, the ICC failed to anticipate the potential conflict when it awarded the hosting rights to the PCB. According to Cricbuzz, an unnamed "key official" criticized the ICC for not being more proactive in addressing the issue.The official pointed out that India's absence from the Champions Trophy was not raised as a concern in any of the 12 ICC Board meetings held since the tournament schedule was announced. This suggests that the ICC may have been complacent in its oversight of the situation.The PCB has maintained its position that it will not agree to a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the Asia Cup last year where India's matches were played in Sri Lanka. The PCB insists that security is not an issue in Pakistan, citing the successful hosting of England and New Zealand recently.The ICC has yet to respond to the PCB's request for written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan. The governing body is reportedly discussing the schedule with participating teams, but no decision has been made.The PCB has also indicated that it is not willing to host the tournament outside of Pakistan, including in the UAE. This stance further complicates the situation, as the ICC may struggle to find an alternative venue that meets the requirements of all parties involved.The launch event for the Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to take place in Lahore, has been postponed indefinitely. This is a clear indication that the tournament is facing significant challenges and its future remains uncertain.