Cricket

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, faces a crucial test as India prepares to take on Australia in the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd. While Kohli's record against Australia remains formidable, his recent form has raised concerns about his ability to deliver on Australian soil.Kohli's Test performance has witnessed a significant decline since 2020. His average has plummeted to 31.68 from a commanding average exceeding 50 in the preceding years. This slump includes a meager two centuries in 34 Test matches, a statistic that even surprised former Australian captain Ricky Ponting."I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he has only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That did not seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that is a concern," Ponting told ICC. "There would not be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that has only scored two Test match hundreds in five years."Kohli's struggles are further highlighted by his Test average in 2024, plummeting to 22.72, his lowest since his debut year in 2011. This poor run of form has seen him drop out of the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings top 20 for the first time in a decade.Adding to the pressure, Kohli's recent home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand yielded a paltry 192 runs in 10 innings, averaging a meager 21.33. This performance stands in stark contrast to his career average of 47.48 against Australia, with a remarkable eight centuries and five fifties in 25 matches.Despite the concerning statistics, Ricky Ponting remains optimistic about Kohli's chances. "I have said it before about Virat, you do not ever question the greats of the game. There is no doubt, he is a great of the game," remarked Ponting. "He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record in Australia is very good. If there is a time for him to turn it around, it would be this series. So I would not be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game."Kohli's past performance in Australia certainly supports Ponting's confidence. He boasts an average of 54.08 on Australian pitches, amassing 1,352 runs in 13 Tests, including six centuries.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy carries immense weight as it contributes to the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 qualification. India will be looking to Kohli to rediscover his form and lead the batting lineup against a formidable Australian bowling attack.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand T20I Series: A Clash of Titans in DambullaSri Lanka and New Zealand are set to lock horns in a highly anticipated two-match T20I series, commencing on Saturday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The series marks the first encounter between the two sides since Sri Lanka's 2-0 Test series triumph over the Kiwis.Sri Lanka, buoyed by their recent 2-1 T20I series victory against West Indies, have retained the same squad for this encounter. The team will be led by experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with both bat and ball. Other key players to watch out for include opener Pathum Nissanka, middle-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eager to avenge their Test series defeat and prove their mettle in the shorter format. The Kiwis have a formidable T20I squad, led by the experienced Kane Williamson. Other notable players include opener Martin Guptill, all-rounder Mitchell Santner, and pace bowler Trent Boult.The shift to white-ball cricket presents both teams with unique challenges and opportunities. Sri Lanka will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and the familiarity of the conditions. New Zealand, however, will be confident in their ability to adapt quickly and impose their style of play.The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a wealth of talent and experience. Sri Lanka will be aiming to continue their winning momentum, while New Zealand will be determined to make a statement and prove their dominance in the T20I format.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team is gearing up for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season three auction by planning a series of camps for its players. The team has retained 14 players, including six overseas stars, ahead of the auction, which is expected to take place in December.RCB assistant head coach Malolan Rangarajan revealed the team's plans in a statement. "We will have a couple of camps for our players and players of interest," Rangarajan said. "This will help us create a shortlist of players for the auction and identify our targets and backups."The retention list includes captain Smriti Mandhana, star batter Ellyse Perry, and wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh, who were key contributors to RCB's championship victory in the inaugural WPL season. Rangarajan emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core values and the players who have proven their worth on and off the field."We have thought really hard about how we wanted to recruit in the last auction and we brought in a couple of players with experience," Rangarajan added. "That has held together and given us a good core to go forward with."RCB emerged as the champions of the WPL 2024, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the final. The team's retained players include:* Asha Shobana* Dani Wyatt* Ekta Bisht* Ellyse Perry* Georgia Wareham* Kanika Ahuja* Kate Cross* Renuka Singh* Richa Ghosh* S. Meghana* Shreyanka Patil* Smriti Mandhana* Sophie Devine* Sophie MolineuxRCB has released five players: Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Shraddha Pokarkar, Shubha Satheesh, and Simran Bahadur. The team is confident that the upcoming camps and the auction will help them build a strong squad for the upcoming WPL season.

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher has expressed concern over David Miller's struggles against spin bowling, which contributed to the Proteas' 61-run defeat to India in the first T20I. Boucher also highlighted the South African bowlers' inability to exploit the pitch conditions.During the middle overs, Miller and Heinrich Klaasen struggled to find boundaries while chasing a 203-run target. Both batters were dismissed in the same over by Varun Chakravarthy, dealing a significant blow to their team's chances.Boucher particularly highlighted the 11th over bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, where Miller played five consecutive dot balls before finally managing a single. "David Miller wasn't picking a thing at all. I mean, there's one over there where I think he missed four out of the six deliveries he faced. So yeah, he was bowled really well tonight, and it just goes to show two quality spinners. There was something there for the bowlers on that wicket. Something that South African bowlers could not exploit," Boucher said.In the subsequent over, Klaasen hit a six on the second delivery. However, Chakravarthy soon had Klaasen caught at long-on and then dismissed Miller for 18, who mistimed a shot to deep square leg.Boucher further pointed out how Bishnoi cleverly used his seam to extract help from the surface. "I was watching a couple of his (Ravi Bishnoi) balls come out a little bit different and I think what he did really well tonight, especially in the dark, is he changed the seam up. Sometimes you look at the ball, especially as a wicket-keeper as well. You look at the ball and see if you can see it spinning different ways. But he muddled his seam up very nicely," he added.In the match, India batted first and posted a challenging 202/8, thanks to Sanju Samson's blitz. South Africa's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Gerald Coetzee being the only exception with three wickets.In the run chase, South Africa's batters failed to put up a decent performance. No Proteas batters could cross the 30-run mark. Heinrich Klaasen (25 runs) and Gerald Coetzee (23 runs) were the highest run scorers for the hosts.The Indian bowling attack was led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who bundled out the hosts at 141 with two overs remaining. Both Varun and Bishnoi picked up three wickets in the game.Samson was named the Player of the Match following his stellar show with the bat. India will take on South Africa in the second T20I match of the series on Sunday in Gqeberha.

Chandigarh's remarkable journey in the Ranji Trophy has reached new heights as they secured a resounding victory over Delhi, their third consecutive win in the tournament. This triumph has solidified their position atop the standings in Group D with 19 points from four matches, bringing them closer to a quarterfinal berth for the first time in their five-year existence.After resuming the fourth day on 46 for no loss, Chandigarh needed 157 runs to seal the victory. The host team displayed their dominance by chasing down the target at a run rate of 5.06 with nine wickets in hand. Shivam Bhambri emerged as the star with the bat, notching up a century in the final stages of the game with a six over mid-on off Hrithik Shokeen. Bhambri had also made a significant contribution of 80 runs in the first innings, earning him the Player of the Match Award.Manan Vohra's presence at the crease was equally significant. The 31-year-old captain has been at the helm of Chandigarh since its inaugural season in 2019-20. Vohra expressed his team's elation and the culmination of their hard work over the past five years. He acknowledged the challenges they faced in the past, including the threat of relegation to the Plate division. However, the recent victories have ignited a sense of confidence and determination within the team.The scores:Delhi — 1st innings: 276. Chandigarh — 1st innings: 324. Delhi — 2nd innings: 250. Chandigarh — 2nd innings: Arslan Khan c Shokeen b Mathur 68, Shivam Bhambri (not out) 100, Manan Vohra (not out) 24; Extras (b-8, lb-3, w-1): 12; Total (for one wkt. in 40.2 overs): 204. Fall of wicket: 1-130. Delhi bowling: Siddhant 5-1-17-0, Shokeen 7.2-0-50-0, Badoni 5-0-17-0, Mathur 9-2-34-1, Chauhan 4-0-14-0, Vashisth 9-1-48-0, Dhull 1-0-13-0. Player of the Match: Shivam Bhambri.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Phuket, Thailand, with his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva. The former India captain, who turned 43 in July, is widely regarded as one of the most successful skippers in the history of the game. Under his leadership, India triumphed in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni remains an active player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was recently retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the mega auctions, highlighting his enduring value to the franchise.Dhoni's daughter, Ziva, has shared some heartwarming and picturesque moments from their family's trip to Phuket on her Instagram account. In one of the photos, Dhoni is seen sporting a black vest and sunglasses, posing in the sea with a stunning sunset as the backdrop.Dhoni's retention by CSK as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore has been met with widespread approval. The five-time champions also retained their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube.Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his admiration for Dhoni's remarkable career and his continued impact on CSK. "Two seasons ago he probably had his worst season, but then last year again, he bounced back into really impacting some games like the MS Dhoni of old," Ponting said.Ponting believes that Dhoni's presence in the CSK team is invaluable, even if he may not play every game. "Any team that he's in, whether he's captain or not, he's always going to be a mentor and a leader around that group, whether he's playing, whether he's sitting on the sidelines, that's just who he is...he's crucial to Chennai, for that leadership that he brings on and off the field," Ponting stated.Despite recent injuries, Dhoni's ability to evolve and remain impactful has been a hallmark of his illustrious career. He continues to be a source of inspiration for young cricketers and a respected figure in the cricketing world.

Former Indian all-rounders Yuvraj Singh and Ravi Shastri have heaped praise on wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for his scintillating century in the first T20I against South Africa. Samson's blistering knock of 107 off just 50 balls powered India to a commanding 61-run victory in Durban.Samson, who has been given a new lease of life as an opener, has now become the first Indian and fourth overall to score consecutive centuries in T20Is. His remarkable feat has earned him accolades from cricket legends."Sanju you beauty! Such a treat to watch that stroke play Very well played @IamSanjuSamson #IndVSSa," tweeted Yuvraj Singh.Ravi Shastri also took to Twitter to express his admiration for Samson's performance. "Sanjooo..... Samsonnn. Special. #SanjuSamson #SAvsIND," he wrote.Samson's century in Durban was his second in as many games, having scored 111 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad last month. Prior to Samson, only Gustav Mckeon (France), Rilee Rossouw (South Africa), and Phil Salt (England) had achieved the rare feat of scoring consecutive T20I centuries.Samson's knock was particularly impressive considering the self-doubt he had faced in the past about his ability to replicate his IPL success at the international level."Honestly in my career, I have had more failures than success. When you go through those failures, you start doubting yourself. People obviously say things, social media definitely plays its role, and then you also start thinking about it," Samson said after the match."It's like 'Sanju, are you not made for international level? You are doing well in the IPL, why is it not happening in international (cricket)?' I did have lots of thoughts, but after so many years of experience, I know my abilities."Samson's confidence and determination have paid off, and he is now proving to be a valuable asset for the Indian team. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently makes him a dangerous player in the shortest format of the game.

Sanju Samson's blistering century against South Africa in Durban has propelled India to a commanding 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series. The wicketkeeper-batsman's stunning 107 off 50 balls, featuring seven fours and 10 towering sixes, was the highest individual score in a T20I between India and South Africa.Samson's aggressive knock helped India reach an imposing total of 202/8 in the first innings, earning him the Player of the Match award. Reflecting on the victory, Samson credited the senior members of the team for helping him overcome the mental challenges of representing India."When you have a supporting captain like Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam bhai and VVS Laxman sir, they all support you during failures," Samson said at the post-match conference. "The way they communicate with you in your failures is very important. Everyone knows that if we are going through a negative phase, then the player can get lost there."Samson's 107 surpassed David Miller's unbeaten 106 in Guwahati in 2022 as the highest individual score in a T20I between India and South Africa. His powerful innings helped India reach an imposing total of 202/8 in the first innings, earning him the Player of the Match award.Despite a rocky start under Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach, Samson has rebounded strongly with impressive performances against Bangladesh and now South Africa. "So at that time, I received a lot of phone calls from Gautam bhai and Surya, telling me what to work on," Samson shared. "Your spin is a little bit like that. You collect all the spinners in Kerala and practice on rough wickets there. You do this, you do that. So if your Indian team's captain is calling you and telling you how to practice after a duck, then you have confidence that the captain is trusting you," he said."He wants you to do well. So I think all those small, small things play a huge role, I think, coming back here," added Samson.India and South Africa are set to clash again in the second T20I on Sunday in Gqeberha.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision stems from advice received from the Indian government, which has advised against sending the team to Pakistan due to security concerns.The Champions Trophy, an eight-team tournament, is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. However, the BCCI's decision has forced the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider contingency plans.One possible solution is a hybrid model, where teams would play matches in Pakistan and a second venue. However, the PCB has previously ruled out this option. ESPNcricinfo understands that contingency plans were drawn up months ago in anticipation of such a scenario.The UAE and Sri Lanka are potential candidates to host matches alongside Pakistan. The ICC has been informed of the BCCI's stance, but it remains unclear whether the decision has been communicated in writing. The PCB has stated that it will need written confirmation before discussing the matter with the government.The BCCI's decision is based on the strained political relations between India and Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, despite Pakistan playing several ICC events in India, including the 2023 World Cup. The two sides have only played one bilateral series since then, a white-ball tour by Pakistan in 2012-13.The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. The competing teams are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. The schedule and ticketing details for the tournament have yet to be announced.