Cricket

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has sparked a social media frenzy with a viral post featuring himself alongside legendary South African speedster Dale Steyn. The image, captioned "Goat," has garnered immense attention, highlighting the mutual respect between the two bowling greats.Bumrah, who is expected to lead India in the upcoming Test series against Australia, has had numerous encounters with Steyn on the field, both in international matches and the Indian Premier League. However, they have never shared a dressing room.Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2021, holds the record as South Africa's most successful Test pacer. His exceptional pace and swing bowling have earned him widespread recognition as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.Meanwhile, Bumrah is poised to take over the captaincy mantle for India in the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the game due to personal reasons.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Bumrah to lead the team for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable. He believes that Rohit should focus solely on playing in the series.However, former Australia captain Aaron Finch has expressed a different view. Finch believes that Rohit deserves ample time with his family if he is expecting a child.Bumrah's leadership qualities have been evident in his role as vice-captain of the Indian team. His calm demeanor, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire his teammates make him a strong candidate for the captaincy role.The upcoming Test series against Australia will be a significant challenge for India, and Bumrah's leadership will be crucial in guiding the team to success. His experience, skill, and determination will be invaluable assets as India aims to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

James Anderson, the legendary English pacer, has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This marks the first time Anderson has entered the IPL auction, and his decision has sparked speculation about which franchise might be interested in acquiring his services.Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has set a base price of Rs 1.25 crore for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. However, Anderson has not played a T20 game since 2014, raising questions about whether any franchise will be willing to invest in him.Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be a potential destination for Anderson. CSK has a history of valuing new ball bowlers who offer swing, and Anderson's experience and skill in this area could make him an attractive option for the franchise."You mention James Anderson, I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai Super Kings. You heard it here first. They are a team that like someone who can swing it in the first few overs. They had a swinger, be it Shardul Thakur. It would not surprise me if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai," Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire Podcast.Anderson himself has expressed his desire to continue playing cricket after retiring from Test cricket. "That's the whole point of going in the auction, I think, I want to play cricket again. Whether I get picked up or not is a different matter. There's definitely a feeling inside of me that I've got more to offer, in some shape or form," Anderson said on Sky Sports."So, however long down the line that might be, in whatever capacity that might be I'm not sure yet. But I'm really keen to play. I feel really fit, I've been bowling still, ticking over, so I feel like I'm in a good place and I'd love to have an opportunity to play somewhere," he added.It remains to be seen whether any IPL franchise will be willing to take a chance on Anderson, given his lack of recent T20 experience. However, his reputation as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time could make him an attractive proposition for teams looking to bolster their bowling attack.

Team India Prepares for Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Pre-Departure Press ConferenceAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir will address the media in a pre-departure press conference on Monday at 9:00 AM at Ballroom 4, ITC Maratha in Mumbai.The press conference will provide an opportunity for Gambhir to discuss the team's preparations, strategies, and expectations for the challenging Test series. The Indian contingent will depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.The tour will feature a highlight in the form of the pink-ball, day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test is slated for January 3 in Sydney.India has enjoyed consecutive Test series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli's leadership in 2018-19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. With Rohit Sharma now at the helm, the team will be aiming for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil.The press conference will provide insights into the team's mindset, preparations, and expectations for the upcoming series. Gambhir is expected to discuss the team's strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for countering the formidable Australian team.

India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan has sparked controversy due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Despite Pakistan's visit to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, reports suggest that India is reluctant to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly proposed a "hybrid" model, where India would play its matches in Dubai. However, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has warned that if India refuses to travel, Pakistan should retaliate by boycotting the tournament."ICC exists only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says like India that we won't play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match," Latif told Geo News.Latif emphasized that India cannot deny ICC events as they have already signed agreements. He added that if India does not participate, Pakistan will take a "big step" by withdrawing from the tournament.The BCCI has reportedly informed the ICC of its decision not to travel to Pakistan. Sources indicate that Pakistan may consider legal action at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)."This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup," Latif said.The decision has sparked debate, with some arguing that India should prioritize cricket over politics. Others maintain that the safety and security of the Indian team must be paramount.The ICC is expected to make a final decision on the matter in the coming months. If India does not participate, it would be a major blow to the tournament and raise questions about the future of bilateral cricket between the two nations.

Jasprit Bumrah's leadership potential has been endorsed by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who believes the Indian pacer has the qualities to effectively lead the team in Rohit Sharma's absence.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth uncertain due to personal reasons, Bumrah emerges as a strong candidate to captain India. Ponting, who has witnessed Bumrah's leadership skills firsthand during the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston, acknowledges the challenges of captaincy, especially for a bowler.However, Ponting draws parallels to Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, who has successfully balanced his bowling responsibilities with leadership duties. He emphasizes that experienced players like Bumrah understand when to bowl and when to rest, and often thrive under pressure and responsibility."Guys like that tend to thrive on the extra pressure and the responsibility," Ponting said. "He's always been the leader of the attack for a long time anyway. Whether that's red ball, T20, or ODIs, he's the main man."Ponting also highlights the presence of senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant in the Indian team, who can provide valuable guidance to Bumrah."In that Indian team, there's a lot of experience around him," Ponting said. "And it's really important, I think, that you use the experience around you even when you are the captain, and just ask the appropriate questions at the right time."Ponting shares his own experience as Australia's Test captain, emphasizing the importance of seeking advice from experienced teammates. He credits Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Justin Langer as valuable sources of guidance during his captaincy."I liked to ask the questions of Gilchrist, Hayden, and Langer," Ponting said. "Ask them where they thought the game was, and what we needed to do. At the end of the day, as a captain, you're the one that's making that final decision, but whatever advice you can get along the way can only be good."With his experience, leadership qualities, and the support of senior players, Jasprit Bumrah is well-positioned to lead the Indian cricket team in Rohit Sharma's absence.

Pakistan is considering legal action against India's refusal to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy on Pakistani soil. Sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to resolve the dispute.The issue stems from India's long-standing refusal to play bilateral cricket series with Pakistan due to political tensions. While Pakistan traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain.Media reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has proposed a "hybrid" solution, where India would play its matches in Dubai. However, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has denied any such communication and insists that all matches must be held in Pakistan.The BCCI has reportedly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The ICC is expected to inform Pakistan about this development and finalize the tournament schedule accordingly.Naqvi has stated that if India does not participate in Pakistan, he will consult with the government for further instructions. Dubai is considered a suitable alternative venue for India's matches due to its large stadium capacity and recent hosting of the Women's T20 World Cup.The PCB's stance is supported by the fact that Pakistan has successfully hosted international cricket matches in recent years, including the 2022 Pakistan Super League final and the 2023 PSL matches in Karachi and Lahore.The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of cricket between India and Pakistan. If CAS rules in favor of Pakistan, it could force India to reconsider its stance on bilateral series. Conversely, if CAS dismisses Pakistan's case, it could further strain relations between the two cricket boards.

Mohammad Rizwan, the newly appointed captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has downplayed his role, stating that he is merely responsible for "toss and presentations." Despite his modest assessment, Rizwan has led Pakistan to a historic ODI series victory over Australia, marking their first such triumph in Australia in 22 years.In the post-match press conference, Rizwan emphasized the collective effort behind Pakistan's success. "I'm the captain only for the toss and presentations - everyone gives me suggestions on the field, the batting group and the bowling group," he said.Rizwan praised the bowlers for their exceptional performance, particularly in the challenging conditions of Australia. "Australia in Australia isn't easy, the conditions suit their style of playing, but the bowlers were outstanding," he remarked.The veteran cricketer also acknowledged the contributions of the openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, who set the tone for the chase with their solid starts. "Credit to the two openers, they made the chases easy," Rizwan said.Despite the team's recent struggles, Rizwan expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the Pakistani people. "I don't care a lot about the press, but the people back home are always behind us and I want to dedicate this victory to them," he added.Pakistan's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. After losing the opening match in Melbourne, they bounced back with an emphatic win in Adelaide and sealed the series with a dominant performance in Perth.The series triumph is a significant achievement for Pakistan, who have struggled to find consistency in recent years. It will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India later this year.

Allrounder Cooper Connolly's T20I aspirations have been dashed after he sustained a fractured left hand during the third ODI against Pakistan in Perth. The injury, which occurred when he was struck by a Mohammad Hasnain delivery, has ruled him out of the upcoming T20I series.Connolly, who made his international debut in September, was struck on the glove while attempting a pull shot in the 17th over. Despite facing one more delivery, he soon realized the severity of the injury and left the field for assessment. Subsequent scans confirmed the fracture to the fourth metacarpal of his left hand.The injury is a significant setback for the Australian selectors, who view Connolly as a promising all-rounder with potential for the 2026 T20 World Cup. His finishing skills with the bat and left-arm spin are highly valued in Australian cricket.Connolly's absence from the T20I series will also impact the Perth Scorchers, who are set to begin their BBL campaign on December 15. The Scorchers will closely monitor his recovery timeline, as he would have been a key player for them prior to the injury.The injury also affects Western Australia's Sheffield Shield campaign, as Connolly would have been available for their remaining two matches before the BBL.Connolly's debut tour of the UK in September saw him play two T20Is without batting or taking any wickets. He was part of the Australia A squad for the recent matches against India A, where he scored 37 in the first innings of the opening game.The Australian selectors will now need to find a replacement for Connolly in the T20I series against Pakistan. The injury highlights the importance of player depth and the challenges of managing workloads in a busy international schedule.

Fox Cricket Poster Controversy: Rohit Sharma Snubbed, Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis Earn Test CallsAustralian media channel Fox Cricket has sparked a social media storm with its poster for the upcoming Test series between India and Australia. The poster, featuring Pat Cummins and Virat Kohli, has drawn criticism for omitting Indian captain Rohit Sharma.Social media users were quick to point out the absence of Sharma, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. Many accused Fox Cricket of disrespecting the Indian skipper and questioned the decision to feature Kohli instead.The controversy has overshadowed the announcement of Australia's Test squad for the series opener in Perth on November 22. Uncapped Nathan McSweeney has been handed a surprise call-up to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, while Josh Inglis has been named as backup wicketkeeper to Alex Carrey.McSweeney, 25, has impressed with his consistent performances in the Sheffield Shield and his leadership qualities as captain of South Australia. Inglis, who moved to Perth from England at the age of 14, has also been rewarded for his strong domestic form.The pace unit will be led by skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, with Scott Boland as the reserve quick. Nathan Lyon remains the lone specialist spin option.The Test series between India and Australia is one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. The two teams have a long and storied rivalry, and the upcoming series promises to be another thrilling contest.However, the controversy surrounding Fox Cricket's poster has cast a shadow over the build-up to the series. The channel has been accused of bias and disrespect, and it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved.