Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has shed light on the selection of uncapped players Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir praised Rana's bowling prowess, stating that he has bowled extensively and is ready to face the Aussies with fresh legs. He also highlighted Reddy's potential, expressing confidence that he can contribute significantly if given the opportunity.Gambhir hinted at a shift in the team's composition, suggesting that certain players may not be part of the future plans. However, he did not explicitly mention Shardul Thakur, who was surprisingly omitted from the squad."It's about moving forward, and we believe this is the best set of players to represent the country," Gambhir said.Rana and Reddy have earned their selections based on impressive performances in the domestic circuit. Their inclusion comes after India's disappointing home series loss to New Zealand, which has made their path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final more challenging.To qualify for the WTC final, India must win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0. The series opener will be played in Perth, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide, a match at The Gabba in Brisbane, the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the final Test in Sydney.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series:* 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* Washington SundarAustralia's squad for the first Test:* Pat Cummins (c)* Scott Boland* Alex Carey* Josh Hazlewood* Travis Head* Josh Inglis* Usman Khawaja* Marnus Labuschagne* Nathan Lyon* Mitch Marsh* Nathan McSweeney* Steve Smith* Mitchell Starc

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, England's prolific batter, has made a significant move by transferring her allegiance from Southern Vipers to Surrey for the inaugural Women's Tier 1 county competition in 2025. This decision marks a new chapter in her illustrious career, which has spanned over a decade and witnessed numerous accolades.Wyatt-Hodge, 33, has been a cornerstone of the England women's team since her debut in 2010. With 278 international appearances, she has amassed over 5,000 runs across all formats. Her exceptional performances in T20Is have earned her the distinction of being England's all-time leading run-scorer in the format, with 2,979 runs at an impressive strike rate of 127.85.Her move to Surrey reunites her with England teammates Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey. Wyatt-Hodge expressed her excitement about joining the club, stating, "I am both excited and honored to be joining Surrey. The club has an incredible history with a culture of success, which I want to contribute to."Emma Calvert, Surrey's Director of Women's Cricket, hailed Wyatt-Hodge's signing as a major coup for the club. "Danni's career speaks for itself, and we believe she will add strength and depth on the field as well as adding to the team off the field," Calvert said.Wyatt-Hodge's decision to join Surrey is a testament to the club's growing stature in women's cricket. The South East Stars, Surrey's women's team, have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in recent years, winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2022.Wyatt-Hodge's experience and leadership will be invaluable to Surrey as they aim to challenge for silverware in the new Women's Tier 1 competition. Her aggressive batting style and ability to score runs at a rapid pace will be a major asset to the team.

South Africa's women's cricket team is set to host England in a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series, with the aim of expanding their player pool and building on their performance at the recent T20 World Cup.For the T20I series, South Africa have rested experienced players Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka to give opportunities to other players. Medium-pacer Eliz-Mari Marx, who was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the CSA Women's Pro20 series, and allrounder Nondumiso Shangase have been recalled to the squad.Wicketkeeper-batter Mieke de Ridder and Seshnie Naidu have also been omitted from the T20I squad. De Ridder has been replaced by Faye Tunnicliffe, while Naidu is completing her final school exams and will then prepare for the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia in January.The T20I squad includes three players currently playing in the WBBL: captain Laura Wolvaardt, allrounder Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon. Bowlers Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, who were part of the T20 World Cup squad but did not play a game, may get an opportunity at home, where conditions are expected to suit them better.Interim coach Dillon du Preez said he hopes the team can build on their performance at the T20 World Cup, where they reached a second successive final. "We would like to have the same approach that we did in the last T20 World Cup. Although the next T20 World Cup is in two years' time, we would still like to grow as a team and continue to work on our T20 playing philosophy," du Preez said.For the ODI series, South Africa have added additional resources to the squad, including batter Lara Goodall and experienced seamer Masabata Klaas. Hlubi is also in line for an ODI debut. The matches are part of the Women's Championship, which forms the qualification pathway for next year's ODI World Cup in India.South Africa are currently in fourth place in the Women's Championship, with 23 points, five behind Australia and England. The top five teams along with hosts India will automatically advance to the event, which means Australia and England have already qualified. South Africa have also gone through, even if they are overtaken by Bangladesh or West Indies, both of whom have six matches left to play (including three against each other).The tour also includes a one-off Test in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18, for which South Africa will name the squad at a later date. The T20 games are on November 24, 27, and 30, followed by the ODIs on December 4, 8, and 11.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India is unwilling to tour Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy. This news has sparked outrage within the Pakistani cricket community, with former players and officials demanding a boycott of matches against India.Former Test captain Javed Miandad expressed his anger, stating that Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper without India. He questioned the ICC's ability to generate revenue from events without matches between the two nations.Inzamam-ul-Haq, another former Test captain, voiced his disappointment, emphasizing that there is no threat to the Indian team in Pakistan. He believes that India is depriving cricket of a major occasion.Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain, called for a strong statement from the PCB. He condemned India's decision as purely political and unacceptable in sports.Since the 2008 Asia Cup, India has not sent its cricket team to play in Pakistan. However, Pakistan has visited India for the T20 World Cup in 2016, a bilateral white-ball series in 2012-13, and the 50-over World Cup last year.Former Test cricketer Mohsin Khan stressed that sports and politics should never be combined. He advised the PCB to remain calm before making any decisions.The PCB is currently in talks with senior government officials to discuss the future course of action. The Pakistani cricket community is eagerly awaiting the outcome of these discussions, as they hope to see a strong response from their board.

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first after winning the toss against Afghanistan in the third and decisive ODI in Sharjah. Miraz took over the captaincy duties from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was ruled out due to a groin injury.In a significant change, Bangladesh rested senior pacer Taskin Ahmed for the series decider. Zakir Hasan and debutant fast bowler Nahid Rana were brought in as replacements for Shanto and Taskin, respectively. Rana, a 22-year-old right-arm pacer, has impressed selectors with his ability to consistently bowl at 140kph.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to field the same playing XI that lost the second ODI by 68 runs. The Afghans had won the first game by 92 runs, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.Afghanistan:1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)2. Sediqullah Atal3. Rahmat Shah4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)5. Azmatullah Omarzai6. Mohammad Nabi7. Gulbadin Naib8. Rashid Khan9. AM Ghazanfar10. Nangeyalia Kharote11. Fazalhaq FarooqiBangladesh:1. Soumya Sarkar2. Tanzid Hasan Tamim3. Zakir Hasan4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt)5. Towhid Hridoy6. Mahmudullah7. Jaker Ali (wk)8. Nasum Ahmed9. Nahid Rana10. Shoriful Islam11. Mustafizur RahmanThe match is crucial for both teams, as Afghanistan seeks to clinch the series victory while Bangladesh aims to level the series and force a decider.

Varun Chakravarthy's mesmerizing performance in the second T20I against South Africa has reignited calls for his inclusion in India's squad for next year's ICC Champions Trophy. The mystery spinner bamboozled the Proteas batters, claiming 5 of the 7 wickets that fell in the match.Chakravarthy's magical spell kept India in the hunt for a win despite defending a paltry score of 124. His former Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Dinesh Karthik took to social media to advocate for the spinner's selection, stating that "India would be making a grave error" if they overlooked him for the Champions Trophy.India captain Suryakumar Yadav also heaped praise on Chakravarthy, calling his performance "incredible" and "brilliant." However, the selection committee faces a dilemma as Chakravarthy has yet to make his ODI debut. Throwing an uncapped bowler into a tournament as prestigious as the Champions Trophy may not be the most prudent decision.Despite his lack of ODI experience, Chakravarthy's exceptional skills in the shortest format cannot be ignored. His ability to deceive batters with his variations and control makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket.If India decides to take a risk and include Chakravarthy in their Champions Trophy squad, they will have a potent weapon at their disposal. His ability to bowl economically and take wickets at crucial moments could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the tournament.However, the selection committee must carefully weigh the pros and cons of selecting an uncapped player for such a significant event. They will need to consider Chakravarthy's ability to adapt to the longer format and the potential impact of the pressure on his performance.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include Chakravarthy in the Champions Trophy squad will rest with the selectors. But if his performance in the T20I series against South Africa is any indication, he has the potential to be a game-changer for India in the upcoming tournament.

India's decision to decline participation in the Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan in 2024 has cast a shadow over the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news, stating that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had informed them of India's withdrawal.The strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been a major factor in the absence of bilateral cricket series for over a decade. India's last visit to Pakistan was during the 2008 Asia Cup.The Champions Trophy was planned to be held across three Pakistani cities: Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the final schedule remained uncertain due to India's pending confirmation.Former cricketer Mohammad Hafeez expressed his disappointment on social media, questioning Pakistan's safety and security. He called for a strong response from the government and PCB.Pakistan's participation in the ODI World Cup in India last year had raised hopes for reciprocal participation in the Champions Trophy. However, India's decision has dashed those expectations.The previous Asia Cup saw Pakistan implementing a hybrid model, with India playing their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka. Since their last bilateral series in 2012-13, both teams have only competed against each other in ICC multi-nation tournaments.India's withdrawal from the Champions Trophy has raised concerns about the future of cricket between the two nations. The PCB has forwarded the ICC's email to the Pakistani government for advice and guidance.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed frustration with the heavy criticism aimed at Australia's ODI team following their recent 1-2 series defeat to Pakistan. Despite a promising start with a win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Aussies stumbled in the subsequent matches, suffering comprehensive nine-wicket and eight-wicket losses at the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium, respectively. These defeats have sparked discussions over the state of Australia's ODI squad, with some commentators labelling the series loss as a "disaster."Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine voiced his discontent with what he sees as an exaggerated reaction, particularly from established cricket analysts. "That annoyed me. People were saying, 'Oh, I can't believe how bad the Australian cricket team are,' and these are cricket commentators—world-class commentators—saying, 'I can't believe what I'm watching; this is the World Cup holders.' But it's not. The World Cup holders are sitting on the couch getting ready for a Test series."Paine explained that the absence of key players, including Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood, who missed the series entirely, along with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Starc, who only played in parts of the series, made a significant difference. These absences were due to the players' need to prepare for the upcoming Test summer and other critical red-ball engagements, including an important series against India. Paine highlighted that the team on the field wasn't representative of the World Cup-winning unit but was instead filled with emerging talents learning to play at the top level."We're blooding some youth to give them experience at the international level whilst the big boys get ready for two hugely important series — one in Test cricket and one in white-ball. Relax. It's okay," he said.The World Cup-winning side's absence was deeply felt, as Australia managed scores of only 163 and 140 while batting first in the second and third ODIs, respectively.Paine's comments highlight the challenges facing Australia's ODI team as they transition from a golden generation to a new era. While the recent series loss is disappointing, it's important to remember that the team is in a rebuilding phase and that the absence of key players played a significant role in the outcome. With the return of experienced players and the continued development of young talent, Australia's ODI team has the potential to regain its status as one of the world's best.

India's star batter Jemimah Rodrigues has acknowledged the team's subpar performance at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. India's campaign ended in the group stage, with a tough loss to New Zealand, followed by victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, a nine-run defeat to Australia and Pakistan's subsequent loss to New Zealand dashed India's hopes of advancing.Rodrigues expressed disappointment with the team's performance, stating that they "didn't play the best cricket that we should have played as an Indian team." She emphasized that each player is aware of their shortcomings and is determined to improve.With the ODI World Cup scheduled for next year in India, Rodrigues expressed confidence that the hosts will learn from their mistakes and prepare well for the 50-over tournament. She stressed the importance of individual accountability and teamwork in achieving success.Rodrigues also highlighted the benefits of playing in global leagues like the WPL, WBBL, CPL, and The Hundred for Indian cricketers. She believes that these leagues provide opportunities to play against the best in the world and adapt to different conditions."Playing these foreign leagues and playing in WPL does help because you play against the best in the world in all these leagues. And at the same time, you get to play in different conditions," Rodrigues said.She added, "In India, we play in different conditions. Over here, every ground is too different to the other. I think that is one of the best parts of playing franchise cricket—that you get used to playing in different conditions."Rodrigues' insights underscore the importance of international exposure and the need for Indian cricketers to embrace global opportunities to enhance their skills and prepare for major tournaments.