Cricket

Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma's recent struggles have raised concerns among cricket pundits. Despite his impressive record in limited-overs cricket, Rohit's Test batting has been underwhelming, particularly in the recently concluded series against New Zealand.In the three-match series, Rohit managed only 91 runs across six innings, with three dismissals coming from fast bowlers on spin-friendly tracks. Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has attributed Rohit's poor form to his batting position and has suggested a change in order.Kaneria believes that Rohit should move down to the number three position, allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to open the batting. He argues that Rohit has struggled against the moving ball in India and that the conditions in Australia, where India will tour later this year, will be even more challenging."Just see if Rohit Sharma is still comfortable opening or if he should come in one-down and change his order a little bit because he has been struggling with the track in India," Kaneria said. "The Indian top order should be Jaiswal and Shubman as openers, Rohit coming one-down, and Virat two-down."Kaneria's suggestion aligns with the growing consensus that Rohit's batting style is better suited to the middle order. As an opener, he faces the new ball and is more vulnerable to swing and seam bowling. By moving down the order, he would have the opportunity to settle in and play his shots more freely.Rohit's captaincy has also come under scrutiny following India's 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand. This is the first time India has been clean swept in a Test series of three or more matches at home. Kaneria believes that head coach Gautam Gambhir needs to manage the team's batting lineup more effectively, particularly in the absence of injured all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja."Gambhir needs to manage the long Indian batting line-up, as Ashwin and Jadeja are there, so they have a deep batting line-up," Kaneria said.Whether Rohit and Gambhir heed Kaneria's advice remains to be seen. However, it is clear that Rohit's Test form and captaincy are in need of improvement if India is to regain its status as a dominant force in the longest format of the game.

Bengal's Anustup Majumdar Century Rescues Team from Early TroubleVeteran Bengal skipper Anustup Majumdar played a pivotal role in steering his team out of early trouble on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match against Karnataka. Opting to bat first, Bengal lost opener Shuvam Dey for a duck and Sudip Gharami for 5, leaving them reeling at 21/2.Majumdar, batting at No. 4, steadied the innings with a crucial partnership with Sudip Chatterjee (50). The 40-year-old captain showcased exceptional control, hitting 16 fours on his way to a century off 157 balls. The pair added 100 runs for the third wicket before Karnataka's Vasuki Koushik dismissed Chatterjee.Majumdar remained unruffled, anchoring the innings with authority while Shahbaz Ahmed provided solid support. However, Majumdar's fine innings came to an end just after his century, trapped lbw by Shreyas Gopal. Avilin Ghosh played a quick counter-attacking knock of 27 before debutant seamer Abhilash Shetty dismissed him.At stumps, Shahbaz was unbeaten on 54, alongside veteran keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha (6 not out). Bengal finished the day at 249/5, leaving Karnataka with a slight advantage.Jalaj Saxena Creates History with Double MilestoneIn another Group C match, Kerala's Jalaj Saxena became the first player in Ranji Trophy history to achieve the remarkable double of 400 wickets and 6000 runs. The 37-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder claimed 5/56 in 17 overs to cross the 400-wicket milestone, adding to his 6000-run mark achieved last week.Kerala bundled out Uttar Pradesh for a modest 162, with Basil Thampi providing support with 2/18. In reply, Kerala reached 82/2 at stumps, trailing by 80 runs.Madhya Pradesh Dominate Bihar with Centuries from Shubham Sharma and Venkatesh IyerIn Group E, Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma notched up his second century of the season, while Venkatesh Iyer's explosive ton put his team firmly in command against Bihar. Sharma crafted an unbeaten 134 off 183 balls, while Iyer smashed 118 not out off just 113 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 fours.Their 234-run unbroken stand has placed Madhya Pradesh in a dominant position going into the next day.Punjab Spinners Fox HaryanaIn Group B, rookie spin duo Emanjot Singh Chahal and Jass Inder Singh spun a web around Haryana, sharing seven wickets to bowl out the group leaders for a mere 114. Emanjot took 3/43, while Jass Inder starred with figures of 4/33.In reply, Punjab reached 90/5 at stumps, thanks to Anmolpreet Singh's gritty 45 not out. They trail Haryana by 24 runs heading into the next day.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has emphasized its commitment to fostering strong player relationships throughout their tenure with the franchise. This approach was evident in the recent departure of Glenn Maxwell, who was not retained for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, explained that the decision to call Maxwell and inform him of the non-retention was part of the franchise's culture of building and maintaining strong bonds with players. "At RCB, culture isn't just about the middle of the journey, where everyone is together. It's about building strong bonds at the start and honouring them at the end," Bobat said.Maxwell, who scored 1266 runs in 52 games for RCB, expressed his appreciation for the open and respectful communication he received from the franchise. "It was a very beautiful exit meeting. We ended up talking about the game for almost half an hour - talking about the strategy, and looking to go forward," Maxwell said.Bobat acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with players but emphasized the importance of respecting their journeys and building a special team culture. "Saying goodbye to players is never easy, especially with so many shared memories. While it's sad to part ways, it's also an opportunity to bring in new heroes for RCB and our fans," he said.Maxwell's positive experience with RCB stands in contrast to that of his teammate Mitchell Starc, who was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite playing a key role in their 2024 IPL title victory. Starc expressed disappointment at not receiving any communication from KKR regarding his non-retention.RCB's approach to player relationships highlights the importance of transparency, respect, and maintaining strong connections both during and after a player's time with the franchise. This approach fosters a positive and supportive environment that benefits both the players and the team as a whole.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to witness a record-breaking number of players, including 409 overseas stars from 16 countries. Among them, Thomas Jack Draca, a 24-year-old fast bowler from Italy, has emerged as a player to watch.Draca's rise to prominence began in the Global T20 Canada 2024 league, where he impressed with his pace and accuracy. In just six games, he claimed 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.88. His performances caught the attention of the Italian national team, and he made his debut in June 2024.In his four T20Is for Italy, Draca has already taken eight wickets, including those of established international players like Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Kyle Mayers, and Iftikhar Ahmed. His ability to bowl deceptive variations and swing has made him a formidable opponent.Draca's success in Canada has also attracted the attention of IPL franchises. MI Emirates, a subsidiary of Mumbai Indians, has signed him for the upcoming ILT20 in the UAE, indicating that he could be a potential target for the five-time IPL champions in the 2025 mega auction.Draca has registered himself as an all-rounder for the IPL auction, although he is yet to make a significant impact as a batter. However, his impressive bowling performances and potential as a multi-dimensional player make him an intriguing prospect for IPL teams.With his pace, variation, and ability to dismiss top-class batsmen, Thomas Jack Draca is poised to make a mark in the IPL 2025 mega auction. His unique status as the first-ever Italian player in the IPL adds an extra layer of intrigue to his story.

The Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, has been embroiled in a fresh controversy involving star Indian cricketer Deepak Hooda. Hooda, who captains the Rajasthan team, has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with certain selection decisions, leading to a tense situation within the team.According to a report in Sportstar, Hooda skipped a practice session on the eve of Rajasthan's match against Hyderabad in Jaipur. Sources close to the team revealed that there have been ongoing disagreements between Hooda, the ad hoc selection panel, and the coaching staff over player selection."This has been an issue since the start of the season," a source said. "There have been multiple disagreements over player selection between the ad hoc panel and the captain and coach. However, yesterday, things got a bit out of control as the captain, although he came for the practice session, continued to sit out. He was constantly on his phone, busy on calls with the ad hoc committee members and the Sports Minister (Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore)."The report also claimed that an ad hoc committee member threatened to resign over the selection dispute. The ad hoc panel is headed by Jaideep Bihan, with Ratan Singh as the convener and Pawan Goyal, Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat, and Harish Singh as members.Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat, a member of the ad hoc panel, defended the committee's decisions. "These things happen when there are a number of people trying to make a decision," he said. "The more the heads, more the opinions. It isn't wrong and it is not a controversy. The captain wanted wicketkeeper-batter Kunal Singh Rathore to continue despite the fact that he hasn't performed for a while now. He has hit only one fifty in his last three games."The controversy has cast a shadow over Rajasthan's Ranji Trophy campaign. The team has won two of its first three matches but has now been rocked by internal strife. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and whether it will impact Rajasthan's performance in the tournament.

Legendary spinner Anil Kumble has raised concerns about Sanju Samson's consistency ahead of India's upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but his ability to deliver consistently has been a question mark.Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 and has since played 33 matches, scoring 594 runs at a strike rate of 144.52. He has one century and two half-centuries to his name. However, his performances have been sporadic, with some impressive innings followed by periods of poor form.In the recent third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson showcased his batting prowess with a stunning 111 runs off just 47 deliveries. This performance has given him a boost of confidence, according to Kumble."There's been a lot of talk about keeping Sanju Samson in the team long-term, and that century he scored will certainly have given him a lot of confidence. We know the ability of Sanju Samson; he is a class act," Kumble said.However, Kumble believes that Samson needs to improve his consistency to become a regular member of the Indian team. He suggests that Samson should be given opportunities to bat in the top order, where he can make the most of his strong backfoot play and ability to handle fast bowlers and spinners."Consistency is a bit lacking, and I'm sure the Indian selectors are mindful of that. Placing him at the top of the innings, either at number one, two, or three, is where I believe he can truly add value to this team," Kumble added.India and South Africa will play a four-match T20I series starting on November 8 in Durban. The series will provide Samson with an opportunity to prove his worth and cement his place in the Indian team.

Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble has expressed his belief in the potential of three domestic players, Yash Dayal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Ramandeep Singh, to represent the Indian cricket team. Kumble's endorsement comes as these players have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket.Kumble praised Yash Dayal's resilience and development as a left-arm seamer. He highlighted Dayal's ability to move the ball both ways and his impressive death-over bowling skills. Kumble believes that Dayal's strong comeback after conceding five sixes to Rinku Singh demonstrates his character and capabilities.Kumble also acknowledged Vyshak Vijaykumar's contributions to Karnataka's cricketing success. He described Vijaykumar as a talented player who has made a significant impact in domestic cricket. Kumble expressed surprise that Vijaykumar did not receive enough opportunities at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and hopes that he gets a chance to showcase his skills in South Africa.Kumble did not overlook Ramandeep Singh's dynamic playing style and impressive fielding skills. He praised Singh's ability to strike powerfully in the middle order and his exceptional fielding abilities. Kumble believes that Singh's all-round skills, including his occasional bowling, would be valuable at the international level.Kumble's endorsement of these players highlights their potential to contribute to the Indian cricket team. Their impressive domestic performances have caught the attention of the former captain, and they will be hoping to continue their good form and earn a place in the national side.

KL Rahul's batting performance in the upcoming second unofficial Test against Australia A will be closely scrutinized by the Indian national selection committee as he prepares to showcase his skills ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rahul, who was dropped midway through the home Tests against New Zealand, has been sent to the 'A' Test along with reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel to gain match practice before joining the senior team in Perth on January 11.The India A team will face a stern test against Australia A, which includes seasoned pacer Scott Boland. Boland's presence will provide a challenging environment for the Indian batters, including Rahul, who will likely bat at No. 5 or 6. Rahul's ability to handle quality fast bowling in bouncy conditions will be crucial, as he aims to prove his worth for a spot in the Test series.During the practice session at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rahul looked in good touch. With Abhimanyu Easwaran and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expected to open, Rahul's batting position will be similar to what it would be in the Indian Test XI.The Indian selectors believe that Rahul's experience and success in overseas conditions, including centuries at Lord's, Oval, Sydney, and Centurion, make him a more suitable choice than domestic doyen Sarfaraz Khan, despite Khan's impressive 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru.The India A team will make four changes to the squad that played the first 'unofficial Test' at Mackay, which they lost by seven wickets. Rahul will replace Baba Indrajith, while Jurel will take the place of Ishan Kishan. Navdeep Saini will make way for left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, and off-spinner all-rounder Tanush Kotian will replace slow left-arm orthodox Manav Suthar.

Sydney Sixers continued their dominance over Hobart Hurricanes in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), securing a six-run victory in Hobart on Saturday. Sixers captain Ellyse Perry starred with a magnificent 86 off 62 deliveries, leading her team to a competitive total of 155 for 7.Perry's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 11 fours and two sixes. She received support from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Elyse Villani, Chloe Tryon, and Lauren Smith, who all contributed valuable cameos.Hobart Hurricanes' chase began promisingly with Lizelle Lee hitting a boundary off the first ball. However, her dismissal the following delivery set the tone for a challenging innings. Despite a solid start, the Hurricanes lost wickets at crucial intervals, including those of Australian representatives Nicola Carey and Heather Graham.Villani's four boundaries in the power surge overs kept the Hurricanes in contention, but her dismissal and the subsequent loss of Tryon and Molly Strano to the impressive Caoimhe Bray proved decisive.Bray, a talented 15-year-old schoolgirl, played a pivotal role for the Sixers, capturing the key wickets of Carey and Tryon. English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was another standout performer, showcasing her exceptional skills in defending the total.Perry's match-winning knock extended her impressive form in the WBBL, with the all-rounder now boasting an aggregate of 252 runs from four innings. The victory marked the Sixers' 19th win in 21 encounters against the Hurricanes, who have now lost seven straight matches to the Sydney team.