Cricket

Indian cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been nominated for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) Team of the Decade. The 50-player shortlist recognizes the most outstanding players from the league's 10-year history.Kaur, a right-handed batter, has played 62 matches for Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. She has scored 1440 runs at an average of 37.89, including seven half-centuries. Her consistent performances have earned her a place among the league's elite players.The WBBL Team of the Decade will be selected by a panel of experts, including Cricket Australia Director Clea Smith, Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Matthew Mott, Quentin Hull, Laura Jolly, and Alistair Dobson. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players through the Big Bash App from November 11-24.The final 12-player team will be announced at the WBBL 10 Final on December 1. As per league rules, the team can include a maximum of three overseas players.Kaur's nomination is a testament to her exceptional talent and contributions to the WBBL. She is the only Indian player on the shortlist, highlighting her status as one of the most respected and admired cricketers in the world.The WBBL Team of the Decade will honor the players who have shaped the league's history and inspired generations of young cricketers. Kaur's inclusion on the shortlist is a fitting recognition of her achievements and her role in the growth of women's cricket.

India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia has raised concerns among cricket pundits, particularly regarding the batting form of skipper Rohit Sharma and star player Virat Kohli. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell warns that the Indian batsmen could face difficulties if they attempt overly aggressive shots, as the Aussie conditions offer additional bounce that could expose their batting vulnerabilities.Chappell believes that India's batting lineup has some problems, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both aging and facing questions about their form. He cautions that the extra bounce in Australian pitches could find them out if they overplay their shots.Mark Taylor, another former Australian captain, agrees that the responsibility for substantial scoring now falls heavily on the emerging batsmen. He points out that India has moved on from Pujara and Rahane, leaving Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as their best players, but both have been struggling lately. This has put pressure on the younger players and the lower-order to contribute more runs.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will feature a comprehensive five-Test series between India and Australia, scheduled across five Australian venues from November 22 to January 7, 2025. The series will visit Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, marking the first instance of a five-match Test contest between these cricket powerhouses since the 1991-92 season.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has deemed the pitches prepared for Pakistan's recent Test series against England as "satisfactory," despite the surfaces drawing significant attention for their contrasting nature.In the first Test, Pakistan's flat pitch allowed both teams to amass massive totals, with England setting a record-breaking 827 for 7 declared. However, Pakistan's subsequent innings collapse led to a result that seemed improbable earlier in the match.Following this defeat, Pakistan drastically altered their pitch-making strategy. For the second Test in Multan, they reused the same surface and employed giant fans to dry it out. The third Test in Rawalpindi, a venue known for its lack of spin, also involved fans and heaters to break up the surface.These changes resulted in pitches that provided significant assistance to spinners, with all 40 of England's wickets in the last two Tests falling to spin. Pakistan won the second Test on the fourth day, while the third Test ended before lunch on day three.Despite the contrasting nature of the pitches, England raised no public objections, while Pakistan maintained their right to prepare surfaces that offered them home advantage. The ICC's "satisfactory" rating reflects this view, as it is the lowest rating that does not constitute a censure.The ICC rates pitches and outfields on a scale from "very good" to "unfit." An "unsatisfactory" rating results in one demerit point, while an "unfit" rating incurs three. Grounds that accumulate five or more demerit points within a five-year period are suspended from hosting international cricket for 12 months.This was the third consecutive Test in Rawalpindi where the pitch came under scrutiny. In 2022, the surface was rated "below average" and docked a demerit point, which was later rescinded on appeal.

India's humiliating 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand has raised serious concerns about the team's preparation and approach. This is the first time India has suffered a clean sweep in a Test series of three or more matches on home soil.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the team for its dismal performance, particularly the batters' inability to counter the New Zealand spinners. Gavaskar believes that the Indian team was not adequately prepared for the series and cited Sachin Tendulkar's meticulous preparation for an important series in 1998 as an example.In 1998, India was set to face Australia in a home Test series. Gavaskar revealed how Tendulkar prepared himself during warm-up games for Mumbai against Australia to counter Shane Warne during the Test matches."That's the reason why Sachin Tendulkar was Sachin Tendulkar. He was so fiercely proud of what he could do and what he wanted to do for the team," Gavaskar said. "He asked Laxman Sivaramakrishnan to come and go around the wicket, create a rough around that area so that he could practice that slog sweep and the inside out shot against Shane Warne."Gavaskar emphasized the importance of such preparation, stating that it is essential for players to be ready for the challenges they will face in international cricket. He believes that the Indian team's lack of preparation contributed to their poor performance against New Zealand."So, I think that is the kind of preparation that everybody needs to do. If you don't do it then with the gaps that are there will always be that little body speed and back speed situation, which takes a long time to get back," Gavaskar said.The Indian team's performance in the Test series against New Zealand has raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. The team's batters have struggled against spin bowling, and their bowlers have been unable to take wickets consistently.The Indian team will need to address these issues if they want to regain their status as one of the top Test teams in the world. They will have a chance to do so in their upcoming Test series against Australia, which begins on February 9.

Australian batting maestro Steve Smith is poised to reclaim his customary position at No. 4 in the batting order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. This move has sent shivers down the spines of the Indian team, as all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has issued a stern warning about Smith's formidable presence.Maxwell described Smith as a "scary proposition" for India, citing his exceptional form in the nets. "He looks really crisp with his footwork, timing, and movement," Maxwell said. "He's unfazed by anything thrown at him."Smith's return to No. 4 is a strategic move, as he has a remarkable average of over 65 against India in Tests. He has amassed over 2,000 runs in 19 Test matches against the subcontinent giants.Maxwell praised Smith's unwavering dedication to his craft. "He's never satisfied," Maxwell said. "He's always working on his technique, and it's a scary proposition for this summer."Smith's return to form is a major boost for Australia, who are eager to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series holds immense significance for both teams, as they are the top two contenders in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.Smith's experience and class will be crucial for Australia's success. He has scored 9,685 runs in 109 Tests and is on the cusp of reaching the 10,000-run milestone.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a horrific car crash has once again cemented his status as one of India's most indispensable cricketers. After missing over a year of action, Pant returned to competitive cricket with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, followed by a triumphant T20 World Cup victory with the national team.However, Pant's exclusion from the captaincy of India B in the Duleep Trophy raised questions about his leadership credentials. Despite his impressive performances in the subsequent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the decision to overlook him as captain left many cricket experts perplexed.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the rationale behind this move, highlighting Pant's exceptional performances since his return. "When the Duleep Trophy teams were picked, Rishabh Pant was selected, but Abhimanyu Easwaran was the captain of that team. Pant featured as a player but not a captain in that tournament. We were left wondering if he is no longer a captaincy candidate," said Chopra.Chopra further praised Pant's resilience and dominance in Test cricket, emphasizing his ability to play with confidence and hit sixes while also possessing a solid defensive game. "He is the only one who can play with dominance, playing with so much confidence, he can hit sixes and has the defensive game," said Chopra.Pant's performances have led to renewed calls for him to be considered as a captaincy candidate. His ability to lead from the front and inspire his teammates has been evident in his recent performances. Whether or not he is given the captaincy in the future remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Pant has once again proven his immense value to the Indian cricket team.

Sydney Thunder's batting prowess and Sam Bates' exceptional bowling performance propelled them to a commanding 19-run victory over Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) at the WACA Ground.England captain Heather Knight led the Thunder's charge with an unbeaten 59, while Phoebe Litchfield (40) and Chamari Athapaththu (33) provided valuable contributions. The trio's efforts propelled Thunder to a formidable total of 170 for 5.In response, Brisbane Heat's Charli Knott (55) and Grace Harris (41) threatened to pull off a remarkable run chase. However, Bates' devastating spell of 4 for 25 proved too much for the Heat, who were eventually bowled out for 151.Thunder's innings got off to a solid start as Georgia Voll and Athapaththu put on a 52-run opening partnership. Athapaththu and Litchfield continued the momentum, striking seven boundaries each. Knight then took over, unleashing a flurry of shots to further bolster Thunder's total.Heat's Jess Jonassen emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 22. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain Thunder's star-studded batting lineup.Brisbane Heat's run chase began promisingly, but Harris' luck ran out when she was caught in the deep for 41. Knott kept the Heat's hopes alive with a maiden WBBL half-century, but her dismissal by Bates proved decisive.Bates' exceptional performance has seen her claim 12 wickets from just four games this season. "I'm not sure if there's a real secret behind [my form]," Bates said. "It's nice to be contributing finally. I had a pretty ordinary season last year, so I reflected quite a bit on that. I changed some little things and they're paying off, which is nice."

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has urged Pakistan's Babar Azam to emulate Virat Kohli's strategy to regain his lost form. Babar, who was rested for the final two Tests against England due to poor form, has struggled to find his rhythm in recent times.Ponting believes that Babar should consider taking a break from cricket, similar to what Kohli did in 2022. Kohli's sabbatical helped him rediscover his form and return to his best."The biggest challenge is how they get Babar back into their side. They've got to find a way to get Babar back into form and back into their (Test) team," Ponting said in the ICC Review."You know, when you look at (Babar's) numbers, it's been a bit like the stuff that we were talking about with Virat Kohli earlier on. Sometimes - and I think Virat was on record saying this - that little bit of a break that he had, he took himself away from the game for a while to freshen up and sort out some things that he needed to sort out."Ponting added that Babar may need to "get away for a while and stop trying too hard.""Lock the kit bag away for a while, and think about something else and then hopefully come back recharged, because we know at his best he's as good as anyone going around. Hopefully, we get to see that in the back half of his career again," Ponting said.Babar has amassed 3,997 runs at an average of 43.92 in 55 Test matches. However, he has not scored a Test half-century in 18 innings since late 2022.Pakistan won the Test series against England 2-1 under the leadership of Shan Masood. Babar's return to form will be crucial for Pakistan's success in upcoming Test matches.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed his disapproval of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) allowing New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra to practice at their academy ahead of the Test series against India. Ravindra emerged as the highest run-scorer for New Zealand as the visitors completed a historic 3-0 whitewash in the series.Uthappa criticized CSK's decision, stating that the franchise should prioritize the country's interests over those of its players, especially when it comes to foreign players who will be competing against India. He emphasized that a line should be drawn when the nation's interests are at stake.Ravindra, who was part of the CSK squad in IPL 2024, was granted permission to practice at the franchise's academy to acclimatize to Indian conditions. However, Uthappa believes that this decision was inappropriate, as it potentially gave Ravindra an unfair advantage in the Test series.Despite his criticism of CSK, Uthappa acknowledged the franchise's reputation for taking care of its players. However, he stressed that the country's interests should always come first.Ravindra, on the other hand, described New Zealand's 3-0 Test series victory over India as a special and unforgettable experience. He praised the team's performance and expressed his joy at being part of such a historic achievement.New Zealand's victory marked the first time a visiting team had completed a clean sweep in a three-Test series against India. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel played a crucial role in the victory, taking 6-57 in India's second innings.