Cricket

Usman Khawaja has dismissed the notion that Australia's Test batting lineup needs to score quickly at the top of the order, arguing that it's a "myth" that has no basis in reality. Khawaja's comments come as Australia prepares to debut Nathan McSweeney as an opening partner for the first Test against India in Perth.McSweeney, who typically bats at No. 3 for South Australia, will be stepping into unfamiliar territory at the top of the order. However, Khawaja believes that McSweeney's measured approach to batting is well-suited to the role."I don't know where this myth started that you need someone to score really fast to do well," Khawaja said. "You've got five days to do it...I don't know why you need to score fast."Khawaja pointed out that David Warner, who retired from Test cricket last summer, had a strike rate of 70.76 in first-class cricket, while McSweeney's strike rate is 41.92. Despite the difference in strike rates, Khawaja believes that McSweeney can be just as effective as Warner."Opening's as much about scoring runs as it is about being able to absorb," Khawaja said. "Davey was special; he could score runs while absorbing but he didn't do it [score fast] every time. He was consistent; out there and setting a platform, and Nathan does that very well."Khawaja also emphasized that McSweeney shouldn't overthink the transition to opening the batting."There's no guarantees in cricket...but he doesn't have to do anything different," Khawaja said. "Just repeat the process. He's been able to handle the pressure at Shield level. When you look at his demeanor, the way he plays, you do kind of feel over a longer period of time he'll be able to handle the scrutiny, the pressure of Test cricket."In addition to discussing McSweeney's debut, Khawaja also announced plans to link his Usman Khawaja Foundation annually with the Gabba Test. The foundation aims to assist youth from disadvantaged backgrounds through cricket and educational programs.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a captivating spectacle, with the form of veteran players Ravichandran Ashwin and Steve Smith likely to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.Ashwin, widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all time, has been a formidable force in Test cricket, particularly against Australia. In 22 Tests against the Aussies, he has claimed 114 wickets at an impressive average of 28.36. His ability to extract turn and bounce from even the most placid surfaces makes him a potent threat.Smith, on the other hand, is a batting maestro known for his unorthodox yet highly effective technique. He has amassed 2042 runs in 19 Tests against India, including nine centuries and five half-centuries. His ability to adapt to different conditions and outsmart bowlers has made him one of the most prolific batsmen in contemporary cricket.Over the years, Ashwin and Smith have engaged in intriguing battles on the field. Ashwin has revealed that he has studied Smith's batting closely, identifying his strengths and weaknesses. He has devised specific strategies to counter Smith's unique technique, which has often proved successful."Steve Smith is someone that's fascinating as a player against spin," Ashwin said. "I have found ways and means to be able to break it down. His time at Delhi Capitals and RPSG gave me an insight into how he prepares and what he likes and doesn't like."Smith, known for his astute cricketing mind, has also acknowledged Ashwin's prowess. He has praised Ashwin's ability to read batsmen and set up dismissals."Ashwin is a very thinking cricketer," Smith said. "He wants to get one up on you all the time. But he's got very unique ways of practicing and battling out with you in the middle."The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence in Perth on November 22. India will need to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final, scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. The outcome of the series will hinge on the performances of Ashwin and Smith, two of the most influential players in world cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has faced criticism for canceling a warm-up match against India A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In response to the poor form of Indian cricketers, the team has scheduled an intra-squad 3-day practice match behind closed doors.The intra-squad match at the WACA from Friday to Sunday will be held in lockdown conditions, with no public viewing allowed. This decision aims to keep internal matters private before the series begins.Indian players who arrived in Australia have commenced training sessions. Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin missed the optional first session. However, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant participated in the nets.India must defeat Australia 4-0 in the 5-match series to secure their World Test Championship final qualification. After losing 0-3 to New Zealand, India dropped to second in the points table, with Australia leading.The form of key players like Kohli, Pant, Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma will be crucial. Sharma's participation in the first Test at Perth remains uncertain.The BCCI's decision to cancel the warm-up match has raised concerns about the team's preparation. However, the intra-squad match provides an opportunity for players to regain form and build confidence ahead of the high-stakes series.

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and his former teammate Justin Langer may miss the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The match is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Ponting and Langer are currently coaches for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. Their coaching commitments may necessitate their presence at the IPL auction, which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.According to a report by The Age, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori might also leave the Australian team early to attend the IPL auction. Vettori serves as the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise.Vettori's potential departure presents a challenge for Australia, as his presence as assistant coach is considered crucial during the Test series against India.Channel Seven secured a seven-year, AUD 1.5 billion broadcasting deal with Foxtel. However, despite this significant investment, the network may lose two of its prominent commentators, Ponting and Langer, to the IPL auction. The report suggests that Indian cricket authorities hold considerable influence in this matter.Last year, Ricky Ponting also departed from the Perth Test match early to attend the IPL auction, while Justin Langer remained with the Australian team until the match's conclusion.As of Wednesday, no decision had been made regarding whether Vettori would stay with the team through the entire Test or leave early for the auction, The Age reported.This situation presents a dilemma for prominent figures like Ponting, Langer, and Vettori, who must navigate the balance between their international cricket commitments and their franchise obligations.

Sanju Samson's recent scintillating form in T20 Internationals has solidified his position as India's go-to opener, according to former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Samson's promotion to the opening slot by India's new captain Suryakumar Yadav has proven to be a game-changer, with the wicketkeeper-batter delivering consistent performances at the top of the order.Karthik believes that Samson's recent success has cemented his spot as an opener, and that the duo of Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be India's opening combination for the foreseeable future in T20Is. "I think he [Samson] has cemented his spot as an opener. Yashasvi Jaiswal and him will be the openers at least for some time to come in the T20 format," Karthik stated.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan highlighted the fierce competition for spots in India's T20I top-order, which he referred to as a "traffic jam" of talented batters from positions 1 to 7. He noted that this depth is a positive sign for the team's future but added that consistent performances will be crucial for players to retain their spots."Performance speaks for itself. Now, from 1-7 there is a traffic jam. That's a very positive sign for Indian cricket in this format. So for anyone, it is going to be only and only about consistent performances. No one will be able to take their eyes off the ball. You've got to be focused through and through," Zaheer explained.Zaheer also pointed to a specific moment during Samson's recent knock of 107 against South Africa in Durban, where Samson played a remarkable shot off Keshav Maharaj, showcasing his skill and maturity as a top-order batter. "The shot he hit against Keshav Maharaj was something special. He was not in the best position to play it, he was way off, but he still managed to time it so well that it went all the way for six," Zaheer recalled.Karthik further analyzed the shot, emphasizing the evolution in Samson's game, especially in his ability to hit sixes. He explained how Samson's composure and technical adjustments have made him a standout performer."He has made a lot of technical changes, especially suited to this format. He focused a lot on six-hitting. Against Keshav Maharaj, he stepped out but missed the length of the ball. Maharaj did brilliantly to beat him in the air, but Sanju held his position and waited on the shot, hitting it over covers. That's a man who, even when he misses the length, doesn't panic and holds that extra second. That's a very tough skill to have, but he does it very well. That's what makes him very special," Karthik explained.With his recent performances, Samson seems to have found his groove as India's go-to opener in T20Is, further strengthening the team's options at the top.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) remains uncertain, but Australia is determined to target him relentlessly whenever he takes the field. Former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe believes that Australia's pace attack, led by Michael Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, will put Rohit under immense pressure.Rohit's recent Test form has been underwhelming, with just 133 runs in 10 innings leading up to the BGT. Despite India's 2-0 sweep against Bangladesh, Rohit acknowledged his subpar performance as captain during the embarrassing 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand.O'Keeffe emphasized Australia's historical strategy of targeting visiting captains, stating, "Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma."Along with Rohit, Virat Kohli, India's other star batsman, has also been under scrutiny due to his extended lean patch. In six Tests in 2024, Kohli has scored only 250 runs in 12 innings, including a solitary half-century.O'Keeffe believes that Australia should remain cautious of Kohli, who has been a formidable opponent for the Aussies in the past. He said, "Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him. I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer.""If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win," O'Keeffe added.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 in Perth, and the outcome of the series could hinge on the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

KL Rahul, the former captain of Lucknow Super Giants, is actively seeking a new franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While a return to Royal Challengers Bangalore has been widely speculated, Rahul has hinted at considering other options.In an interview with Star Sports, Rahul revealed his reasons for leaving LSG. He expressed a desire for a more positive and relaxed team atmosphere, citing Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings as examples."I wanted to start fresh and explore my options. I wanted to go and play where I could find freedom and the team atmosphere would be lighter," Rahul said. "The pressure is already high in the IPL, but you see teams like Gujarat and CSK, and you see when they win or lose, they seem really balanced, and the dressing room is really calm. That is something very important for me as a player."Rahul also praised the culture fostered by Mumbai Indians under Rohit Sharma's leadership. "People do not know what happens inside the dressing room. The last 2-3 years I have been part of the Indian dressing room has so much clarity and calmness among players. There has been lot of friendship, we are like a family. The coaches are like your older brother. If teams could recreate that kind of environment, they will find themselves in a good position."Rahul's comments suggest that he is seeking a franchise that values a positive and supportive team environment, where players feel comfortable and empowered to perform at their best.

The ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan over the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy has prompted former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali to propose a unique solution. Ali suggests that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should place India and Pakistan in separate pools if it decides to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament.According to Ali, this arrangement would alleviate logistical and diplomatic tensions by minimizing direct encounters between the two teams until the later stages of the competition. However, he acknowledges that neither the ICC nor broadcasters would likely support this idea, as India-Pakistan matches generate significant revenue."If cricket is to continue and the hybrid model is to be maintained, place Pakistan in one pool and India in the other," Ali said on his YouTube channel. "But neither the ICC nor the broadcasters will be happy with this, because this is an opportunity to make money."Ali emphasized the financial importance of the India-Pakistan rivalry for global cricket. "The world is foolish (duniya bewakoof hai) to say that The Ashes is amazing or that the India-Australia series is amazing; it's not like that," he remarked. "As long as cricket is being played and Pakistan-India matches are happening, there will be money; otherwise, there won't be."Amidst escalating tensions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing to formally approach the ICC, seeking clarification on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) refusal to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly rejected the hybrid model proposal, insisting on securing Pakistan's hosting rights.The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025, is set to be held in Pakistan. If an agreement cannot be reached, the ICC may consider moving the tournament to an alternative location, with South Africa and the UAE emerging as potential hosts.The ICC faces a difficult situation, as bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2012. In a similar instance, the 2023 Asia Cup adopted a hybrid model, with India's games moved to Sri Lanka while Pakistan retained partial hosting rights.

India's recent 0-3 Test series defeat at home to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team's preparation and approach. Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes India underestimated their opponents, leading to their disappointing performance.Lee pointed out that India's batters struggled against New Zealand's spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, who exploited the subcontinent's turning pitches. He suggested that India may have entered the series with overconfidence due to their strong home record."They went into the series thinking that we'll just whitewash the Kiwis, thinking that's going to be an easy series," Lee said on his YouTube channel. "And that's no disrespect to the Kiwis. It's just that India are so powerful, so strong on home soil. The Kiwis caught India off-guard."Lee also highlighted a concerning pattern in India's batting approach, which lacked patience. He suggested that India's aggressive mindset may have backfired as they forced their game against the disciplined Kiwi bowlers."They were trying to hit boundaries every ball," Lee said. "They weren't prepared to grind it out, to bat for long periods of time. And that's what the Kiwis did. They were prepared to bat for long periods of time, they were prepared to grind it out."With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, starting on November 22 in Perth, Lee remains confident that India can bounce back and prepare themselves for the crucial series against Australia."This is a great learning curve for all out there," Lee added. "They are going to come in strong. They would have got a kick up the backside from their coach, Gautam Gambhir. This is atrocious, the way they played but they are still a team of champions."Lee also weighed in on the poor form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have struggled with the bat this year. He advised the duo to take time off, refresh, and focus on refining their techniques ahead of the Australian series."When you have a couple of bad runs back-to-back, that's when the pressure could set in," Lee said. "I guess the thing now is someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma just have to go back to the drawing board. Work on that technique, freshen up, get away from cricket as much as they can and then hit the ground running when they go to Australia."With a spot in the World Test Championship final up for grabs, Lee believes India will come back stronger and well-prepared for the upcoming series against Australia.