Cricket

KL Rahul's Form Woes Cast Shadow Over India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy PreparationsAs Team India gears up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the form of star opener KL Rahul has emerged as a major concern. Rahul's recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to deliver in the challenging conditions Down Under.In the recently concluded home series against New Zealand, Rahul endured a dismal outing, scoring just 12 runs across two innings. His poor form continued in an India A match against Australia A, where he managed only 14 runs in two innings.Rahul's struggles have put him under intense scrutiny, with many experts questioning his place in the Test team. The 30-year-old is one of India's most experienced batters, but his recent performances have left selectors and fans alike worried.With the first Test in Perth just over a week away, Rahul is desperate to rediscover his touch. He was seen working hard in the nets during India's training session at the WACA, alongside fellow openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have won on their last two tours of Australia. However, they will need their key players, including Rahul, to perform at their best if they are to overcome the formidable challenge posed by the Aussies.Rahul's form will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the first Test. If he fails to find his rhythm, India may be forced to consider alternative options at the top of the order.

Australia's Haddin Warns India of Pace Attack Threat in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has issued a stern warning to Indian batters ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, expressing doubts about their ability to withstand the formidable pace attack of the hosts.In a recent interview on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Haddin expressed concerns about India's batting lineup, particularly in the opening Test match at the bouncy Perth Stadium. "I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks," Haddin said. "I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work."Haddin's comments stem from the fact that India's batting lineup has historically struggled against fast bowling in Australian conditions. In the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's top order was repeatedly dismissed by the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting that both sides' opening batsmen could face challenges against the opposing bowling attacks. "I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, the two wicketkeepers are going to be so important," Finch said. "At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order."Finch highlighted the importance of the middle order, particularly the wicketkeepers, in providing stability and momentum to their respective teams. "Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive," Finch said. "The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth, is expected to be a fiercely contested series between two of the world's top cricketing nations. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy they won in India in 2017, while India will be eager to reclaim it on Australian soil.

Pakistan's Noman Ali has been crowned the ICC Men's Player of the Month for October, a testament to his exceptional performance in the recently concluded Test series against England. Ali's stellar bowling displays played a pivotal role in Pakistan's historic series victory, making him the first Pakistani male player to receive the honor since Babar Azam in August 2022.Ali's impact was undeniable in the two Test matches he featured in during October. In the first Test, he claimed impressive figures of 11/147, helping Pakistan bounce back from an early defeat. His exceptional bowling performance laid the foundation for Pakistan's eventual series triumph.The second Test witnessed Ali's career-best Test figures of 8/46, a game-changing performance that propelled Pakistan to their first Test victory on home ground since 2021. His exceptional bowling display restricted England to a mere 112 runs, setting the stage for Pakistan's dominant nine-wicket victory.Ali's contributions extended beyond his bowling prowess. In the final Test match, he played a crucial innings of 45 runs, helping Pakistan establish a crucial 77-run lead in the first innings. His resilient knock proved invaluable in Pakistan's eventual victory.Ali's outstanding performance has earned him widespread recognition and praise. He expressed his gratitude to his teammates for their contributions to Pakistan's series victory, acknowledging their collective effort in achieving this historic win on home soil."I am delighted to be named the ICC Men's Player of the Month and deeply grateful to all my teammates who helped me put my best performances forward to help Pakistan win a historic home Test series against England," Ali said. "It is always exciting to be a part of such memorable wins for your country."Ali's performance has not only earned him individual accolades but has also contributed significantly to Pakistan's resurgence in Test cricket. His exceptional bowling skills and unwavering determination have made him a vital cog in the team's success, and his contributions will undoubtedly continue to play a crucial role in Pakistan's future endeavors.

Virat Kohli's Attacking Mindset Draws Praise from Former India Spinner Laxman SivaramakrishnanFormer India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has lauded Virat Kohli's aggressive on-field approach, comparing it to the legendary Vivian Richards. In a recent interview on Sony Sport's Tamil Cricket Podcast - Cricket Petta, Sivaramakrishnan praised Kohli's ability to intimidate bowlers with his eyes and celebrate his emotions on the field."Kohli's attacking attitude is something that he himself enjoys and celebrates. You should show your emotions. You shouldn't be like a machine on the ground. You should have an attitude like Sir Vivian Richards who would intimidate bowlers with his eyes," Sivaramakrishnan said.Sivaramakrishnan also named Kohli and MS Dhoni as the best red and white ball captains respectively. "Kohli's attacking attitude and MS Dhoni's calm demeanour. For me, the red ball best captain is Virat and the white ball is Dhoni," he said.The veteran spinner also recalled his playing days under Sunil Gavaskar, whom he considers the best captain he played under. "Sunil Gavaskar was the best captain, I played under. He was very good with strategy and analytical in approach. Kapil Dev was a very instinctive captain. He will go with his gut instinct. He gave an extra over to Madan Lal in 1983, that's instinctive captaincy," Sivaramakrishnan said.Sivaramakrishnan further praised Gavaskar's ability to give players freedom and Venkataraghavan's excellent leadership skills. "With Sunil Gavaskar, you can ask for anything but you have to justify it, why you want to do it. If you do that he will give you the freedom to set your fields and plan your attack. Venkataraghavan was also an excellent captain, he was wonderful as captain," he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing to request an explanation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's refusal to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.According to sources, the PCB is drafting a questionnaire to seek clarification from the ICC on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has denied accepting a hybrid model that would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue.The PCB's move comes amid reports that Pakistan is considering withdrawing from the tournament if it is moved out of the country. The ICC has the option of hosting the tournament in a different country, with South Africa and the UAE being potential candidates.The PCB's decision to seek an explanation from the ICC is seen as an attempt to resolve the issue and ensure Pakistan's participation in the tournament. The PCB believes that understanding India's reasons for refusing to tour Pakistan is crucial for determining the next steps.Bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended since 2012, although both nations continue to face off in ICC events. The most recent encounter between the two teams was at the T20 World Cup in 2022.Last year's Asia Cup, which Pakistan was originally scheduled to host exclusively, adopted a hybrid format due to India's stance against playing in Pakistan. India's matches were relocated to Sri Lanka, while Pakistan retained partial hosting rights.The Indian team last toured Pakistan in 2008. The PCB's request for an explanation from the ICC is a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the Champions Trophy and the strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.

Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan's seasoned allrounder, has announced his intention to retire from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 38-year-old revealed his plans following Afghanistan's 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh in the UAE, where he was named Player of the Series.Nabi's decision stems from his desire to focus on T20 Internationals (T20Is) and contribute to Afghanistan's continued growth in the shortest format. With 167 ODI appearances, Nabi is Afghanistan's most capped player in the format and currently holds the No. 1 ranking among ODI allrounders according to the ICC.Throughout his ODI career, Nabi has been a pivotal figure for Afghanistan. His 3600 runs place him second on the country's all-time run-getters list, while his 172 wickets make him the second-highest wicket-taker. His all-round abilities have been instrumental in Afghanistan's rise to prominence in international cricket.Nabi's retirement from ODIs will mark the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He has been a constant presence in the team since their ODI debut in 2009, captaining them in their maiden World Cup appearance in 2015. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed by the team.However, Nabi's decision to continue playing T20Is is a testament to his unwavering commitment to Afghanistan cricket. He remains a key player in the team's T20I setup and will continue to guide the younger generation of players.The 2025 Champions Trophy will be Afghanistan's first appearance at the prestigious event. Their qualification for the tournament is a testament to their progress in ODI cricket. Nabi's presence in the team for this tournament will provide invaluable experience and leadership.

India and South Africa Clash in Crucial Third T20IWith the series tied at 1-1, the third T20I between India and South Africa in Centurion on Wednesday has become a pivotal encounter. The winner of this match will gain a significant advantage in the five-match series.India began the series with a dominant 61-run victory in Durban, thanks to a brilliant century from Sanju Samson. However, the Proteas bounced back in the second T20I in Gqeberha, securing a narrow three-wicket win.Samson, who celebrated his 30th birthday on November 11, was the center of attention during the team's journey from Gqeberha to Centurion. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a heartwarming video on social media, capturing the Indian cricketers' birthday wishes for Samson on the bus and his cake-cutting celebration at the team hotel.The Indian team is determined to regain the momentum in the third T20I. They will be looking to their star players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul, to deliver match-winning performances. South Africa, on the other hand, will be eager to continue their winning streak and take a 2-1 lead in the series.The fourth and final T20I of the series will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday. The outcome of the third T20I will have a significant impact on the overall result of the series.

South Australia's One-Day Cup campaign has taken off with a resounding six-wicket victory over New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval. The win propelled SA to the top of the table, while NSW suffered their first defeat of the season.SA's triumph was built on a dominant bowling performance that restricted NSW to a modest 197. Former NSW quick Harry Conway led the charge with 3 for 27, while Jason Sangha claimed 2 for 16. Liam Scott also chipped in with two wickets.NSW's batting was led by Matthew Gilkes and captain Jack Edwards, who both scored 35. However, the visitors struggled to build partnerships and were eventually bowled out in the 46th over.In reply, SA lost early wickets but Alex Carey steadied the ship with a superb 75 off 63 balls. Jake Lehmann (46 not out) and Scott (42 not out) then guided SA to victory with an unbroken 89-run stand.Carey's innings continued his impressive start to the season, while Scott's all-round performance earned him the player-of-the-match award.The result was a significant boost for SA, who are also second in the Sheffield Shield standings. The teams will now turn their attention to their Shield match, which begins at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Xavier Bartlett's return to the Australian cricket scene is a welcome sight for the national hierarchy, who are looking to bolster their fast bowling depth ahead of the grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Bartlett, who has been sidelined since September due to a side strain, is set to make his comeback in the T20I series opener against Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday.Bartlett's impressive performances in last season's BBL, where he was the leading wicket-taker and played a pivotal role in Brisbane Heat's title triumph, have put him on the radar of the selectors. His ability to generate late swing with the new ball, thanks to his immaculate upright seam positioning, makes him a valuable asset.With Australia's frontline quicks, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, facing the challenge of five Tests against India within seven weeks, the hierarchy is keen to build depth behind them. Bartlett's return provides a much-needed option, especially considering the recent fitness issues with fringe quicks like Michael Neser, Lance Morris, and Jhye Richardson.Bartlett, who has taken four-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs against West Indies and has an impressive average of 17.66 in T20Is, is eager to seize the opportunity. "Going forward there will be opportunities. Personally, the goal is always to try and play Test cricket for Australia," he said.Bartlett will be part of a second-string Australian team that will aim to salvage some pride after their surprise ODI series defeat to Pakistan. The batters struggled against Pakistan's pace attack, and Bartlett believes that Australia can learn from their opponents. "They have been amazing, the last two games they only used four bowlers," he said. "Hopefully we can emulate that."Bartlett is set to share the new ball with left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, a partnership that proved successful for the Heat during their title run. While the Gabba surface is known for its pace and bounce, Bartlett is confident that it will make for entertaining cricket.While Bartlett's performances in the T20I series could see him move up the pecking order of fringe Test bowlers, his Heat teammate Nathan McSweeney will make his debut in the first Test after being named as Usman Khawaja's opening partner. Bartlett expressed his excitement for McSweeney, saying, "To see his journey from when we were about 11 or 12 [years of age] to where he is now, making his Test debut, it's unbelievable."