Cricket

South African pacer Gerald Coetzee has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing dissent towards the umpire's decision during the fourth T20 International against India in Johannesburg. The incident occurred when Coetzee made an inappropriate comment after a delivery was called wide.According to the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, Coetzee breached Article 2.8, which prohibits "showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match." As a result, he received an official reprimand and one demerit point added to his disciplinary record.Coetzee admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. The charge was leveled against the bowler by on-field umpires Allahudien Paleker and Stephen Harris, third umpire Lubabalo Gcuma, and fourth umpire Arno Jacobs.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, leading to a ban. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, whichever comes first.In the fourth T20I, India posted an imposing 283/1 batting first, with centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma. South Africa was bowled out for 148, resulting in India's biggest win in terms of runs. The visitors won the match by 135 runs and claimed the four-match series 3-1.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed confidence in the team's preparedness for the upcoming Test series against Australia, dismissing concerns about the team being "undercooked." Ganguly believes that the team's recent Test experience and the nature of the pitches in Australia will favor India.Ganguly acknowledged the unexpected nature of India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand but emphasized the challenging nature of the pitches. He stressed the need for India to return to playing on balanced cricket tracks that foster both batting and bowling skills, suggesting that over-reliance on rank turners could hinder players' confidence and adaptability in different conditions.Despite the setback of Shubman Gill's thumb fracture, Ganguly remains confident in the team's ability and mental strength to move past their recent shock loss. He believes that other batters will step up in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Gill during the first Test.Ganguly also highlighted the importance of playing Nitish Kumar Reddy in conditions that suit his skill set, suggesting that he could provide a proper balance to the side. He also felt that Mohammed Shami should have traveled to Adelaide and played the second Test, which is a day/night game.Ganguly's confidence in the team stems from their recent Test experience and the nature of the pitches in Australia. He believes that the team has the ability to perform well and is confident that they will be competitive in the upcoming series.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, has been enduring a lean patch in recent times. His batting form has been a cause of concern, with the former Indian captain failing to accumulate 100 runs in six innings during the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. However, as India embarks on the highly anticipated Test series against Australia, expectations are high that Kohli will rediscover his old self and lead the team to success.Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Kohli's "in-the-face" attitude will be crucial in the upcoming series. Shastri expects Kohli to be fired up and ready to take on the challenge of facing the formidable Australian bowling attack. He drew parallels between Kohli and Australian batter Steve Smith, suggesting that both players possess the ability to dominate a series if they get a couple of good knocks under their belt.Shastri also highlighted the importance of a strong start for Kohli. He believes that if Kohli can get off to a good start in the first two or three innings, he can set the tone for the series and help India gain an early advantage.However, the Indian team has faced criticism for its lack of organized warm-up matches ahead of the series. Shastri admitted that he would have preferred to see India's first XI take on a team in an organized contest. However, he also expressed satisfaction with the intra-squad three-day simulation game that the players were involved in.Despite the challenges, Shastri remains confident in India's chances of success in Australia. He believes that the team has the talent and experience to overcome the odds and emerge victorious.

The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to witness an intense bidding war for wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerging as potential frontrunners to secure his services.Rahul's consistent run-scoring record and leadership experience make him a highly sought-after commodity for teams seeking a reliable top-order batsman and potential captaincy material. His versatility and composure make him an ideal fit for franchises looking to strengthen their batting lineup.CSK and RCB, in particular, could benefit significantly from Rahul's ability to anchor the innings and provide stability. Both teams have a history of success in the IPL, and Rahul's addition could further bolster their title aspirations.Legendary Indian player Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rahul's hometown connection with Bengaluru could give RCB an edge in the bidding war. "I do believe that the two south franchises, Bengaluru as well as Chennai, will go for KL Rahul. Maybe even Hyderabad will go, but Bangalore is of course KL Rahul's hometown," Gavaskar said.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed doubts about David Warner's prospects in the auction. Warner, known for his aggressive batting style, has seen his performances decline in recent years. Manjrekar believes that CSK, who released Devon Conway, may not be interested in bringing Warner into their plans.Manjrekar also raised concerns about Mohammed Shami's recent fitness issues, which could impact his price tag in the auction. "There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami's injury history — and this recent one took a significant amount of time to recover — there’s always a concern about a potential breakdown during the season," Manjrekar said.With substantial budgets and a need to fill key positions, CSK and RCB are expected to be among the most active teams in the upcoming auction. Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines, and his eventual destination could have a major impact on the balance of power in the IPL.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reappointed Shahid Aslam as the batting coach of the national white-ball squads, effective immediately. Aslam, a qualified coach, has previously worked with the Pakistan team in various capacities, including assistant coach, fielding coach, and assistant manager.Aslam's appointment comes after the team's recent struggles in the ODI series against Australia, where Pakistan's batting lineup failed to perform consistently. The PCB has identified the need for a dedicated batting coach to address these issues and improve the team's performance in the upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.Aslam's return to the coaching staff is based on the recommendation of interim white-ball coach Aaqib Javed, who was appointed by the PCB in November 2024. Javed, who is also the senior national selector, has left to join the players in Zimbabwe, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is before moving on to South Africa for another white-ball rubber.Aslam's appointment is expected to provide stability and expertise to the team's batting unit. He has a proven track record of working with young players and developing their skills. His experience in the High Performance Centre in Lahore will also be valuable in identifying and nurturing future batting talent.The PCB's decision to bring back Aslam is a sign of their commitment to improving the team's performance in white-ball cricket. The upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa will be crucial for Pakistan as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2025.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is just around the corner, and excitement is building for the clash between India and Australia. Despite some injury concerns, former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey believes India will put up a strong fight in the five-match series.Hussey acknowledges that India has a history of success in Australia, having won the last two BGTs Down Under. However, he believes the Australian players are eager to prove themselves and level the playing field. He emphasizes the high quality of cricket expected in the series, which has become one of the most sought-after events in the cricket calendar.Hussey highlights the importance of the series for Australian players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, who may see it as their last opportunity to beat India in Australia. He also praises the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach, noting his competitive spirit and ability to instill a winning mentality in his teams.Despite some unsettledness in the Indian camp, Hussey believes the team has the depth and talent to overcome adversity. He dismisses the notion that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are finished, emphasizing their legendary status and ability to perform under pressure.The series is also set to feature a battle between two modern-day great off-spinners, R Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Hussey expects both bowlers to play crucial roles for their respective teams, with Lyon's ability to bowl both offensively and defensively being particularly valuable.Hussey acknowledges that India's recent struggles against spin could be a factor, but he believes Lyon will need to bowl well in Australian conditions to be effective. He also emphasizes the importance of a group mentality for both teams, with India needing to rely on more than just Jasprit Bumrah to succeed.Hussey believes that the IPL has helped foster friendships between Indian and Australian players, but he stresses that once the game starts, it's all about national pride and competition. He advises KL Rahul to trust his game and focus on his preparation, as he is one of the best players in the world when he's at his best.Overall, Hussey is optimistic about the upcoming series, predicting high-quality cricket and a fascinating battle between two great teams.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's unwavering dedication to the sport was evident during India's practice session at Perth's Optus Stadium. Despite heavy rain halting the session, Kohli continued to bat in the nets, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence.Kohli's determination was praised by social media users, who hailed his "unreal dedication." Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to regain form during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, citing his past successes on Australian pitches.Gavaskar highlighted Kohli's impressive performances in Perth and Adelaide, where he scored a century in 2018-19. He believes that Kohli's familiarity with these grounds will boost his confidence.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The series will then move to Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney for the remaining three Tests.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.Kohli's dedication and Gavaskar's confidence suggest that the Indian batter is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His determination to regain form and his past successes on Australian pitches make him a key player to watch in the highly anticipated series.

Australia Prepares Green Pitch for India in Perth Test, Favoring Fast BowlersAustralia is reportedly preparing a green pitch for the first Test match against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The outfield and pitch are expected to be lush, providing an advantage to fast bowlers. This could pose a significant threat to India's batting lineup, especially in the absence of key players Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.The green pitch conditions suggest that India may opt for a single spinner in their playing XI. Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin could be relegated to the bench, while pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana are likely to make their Test debuts.Australia's famed pace bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will be a formidable force on a green pitch. Their ability to generate pace and swing could prove challenging for India's batsmen.The conditions also favor India's pace bowlers, who will be eager to make an impact. Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana are all vying for the two remaining pace bowling spots alongside Jasprit Bumrah.Bumrah will lead India in the first Test in Rohit Sharma's absence. He has previously captained India in one Test match, where they suffered a defeat.The first Test between Australia and India gets underway on Friday, November 22. The green pitch and the absence of key players will make for an intriguing contest.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to commence, igniting a fierce rivalry that has captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide. India, who have recently dominated Australia, face a formidable challenge this time around.After a disappointing 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home, India's vulnerability is evident. The spotlight will be on star players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to deliver against a formidable Australian side.In a lighthearted moment before the battle, the Indian team engaged in a fun Q&A session. Kohli, asked about his best knock in Australia, recalled his century at Perth in the 2018-19 series. "It was the toughest pitch I played on in Test cricket," Kohli said. "It was great to get a hundred on that tour."Former cricketer and analyst Sanjay Manjrekar analyzed how Australian bowlers might approach Kohli's batting. He believes Kohli is aware of the tactics that will be employed against him."They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mindset is," Manjrekar said. "Australia might also try to cramp him for room and attack his body since he likes to get forward."Manjrekar further elaborated that if Kohli focuses on balls outside the off stump, Australian bowlers, particularly Josh Hazlewood, might target a line on the middle stump, similar to the one Vernon Philander used effectively."Australia will test various strategies, and Virat Kohli is fully aware of that," Manjrekar added.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to unfold, the stage is set for an intense battle between two cricketing giants. India will aim to maintain their dominance, while Australia will seek redemption and reclaim their supremacy.