Cricket

England's interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has paved the way for the new era of white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum. Trescothick's tenure has been marked by a focus on blending winning with player development, which has resulted in a successful tour of the Caribbean.The tour has witnessed the emergence of several young players, including Jacob Bethell, who has impressed with his batting prowess. Bethell's performances have earned him a spot as the reserve batter on England's tour of New Zealand. Saqib Mahmood has also cemented his place in the team with his exceptional bowling performances.Captain Jos Buttler has returned to form and is eager to mold a team in his image. The appointment of McCullum will provide Buttler with the opportunity to start afresh with a new group of players.The question of whether Ben Stokes and Joe Root will return to the ODI side remains unanswered. Their experience would be valuable, but their inclusion could hinder the development of younger players.Trescothick believes that the team is in a good position for McCullum to take over. The tour of the Caribbean has provided valuable experience for the young players and has given Buttler the opportunity to find his feet as captain.

Bangladesh's women's cricket team has recalled experienced all-rounder Sharmin Akhter and pacer Jahanara Alam for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland. The series, scheduled for November 27 to December 2 in Dhaka, marks Bangladesh's first ODI assignment since April.Sharmin, who missed the T20 World Cup earlier this year, has been out of international action since the ODI series against India in July 2023. The 28-year-old has played 35 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Bangladesh since her debut in 2011.Jahanara, one of Bangladesh's most experienced players, has featured in 52 ODIs, claiming 48 wickets at an average of 30.39. Her return to the ODI squad will bolster Bangladesh's bowling attack.The selectors have also handed maiden ODI call-ups to middle-order batter Taj Nehar and left-arm spinner Sanjida Akter. Taj made her international debut in the Women's T20 World Cup in October, while Sanjida has played 18 WT20Is.Bangladesh have excluded Farzana Akter, Sumaiya Akter, Disha Biswas, and Nishita Akter from the squad that faced Australia in April.The ODI series against Ireland will be followed by three T20Is in Sylhet on December 5, 7, and 9. This will be Bangladesh's first international series since the Women's T20 World Cup in October.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has appointed Omkar Salvi as their new bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Salvi, who guided Mumbai to Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy titles last season, brings a wealth of experience to the RCB camp.Salvi, the younger brother of former India player Avishkar Salvi, has worked as an assistant coach with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the past. He is expected to join RCB after the conclusion of the ongoing Ranji season, which resumes on January 23.In the meantime, Salvi will oversee Mumbai's campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. He is contracted with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) until March 2025.RCB has never won an IPL title despite participating in the tournament since its inception in 2008. The franchise will be hoping that Salvi's expertise can help them break their title drought.Salvi's appointment is a significant move for RCB, as they look to strengthen their bowling attack. The franchise has a talented group of bowlers, including Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Salvi's guidance will be crucial in helping them reach their full potential.Salvi's experience and success at the domestic level make him a valuable addition to the RCB coaching staff. He will be working alongside head coach Sanjay Bangar and batting coach Sridharan Sriram.RCB will be hoping that Salvi's appointment can help them finally lift the IPL trophy. The franchise has a strong squad on paper, and they will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

Despite Pakistan's recent ODI series victory, Australia asserted their dominance in the T20I series, securing a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash. However, Pakistani fans found solace in the remarkable achievement of their captain, Babar Azam, who surpassed Virat Kohli to become the second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals.In the final T20I, Babar Azam played a pivotal role, anchoring Pakistan's innings with a well-crafted 41 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries. Despite his efforts, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, with other batsmen failing to make significant contributions. The team was eventually bowled out for a meager 117 runs in 18.1 overs.Babar Azam's 41-run knock propelled his total runs in T20 Internationals to 4192, surpassing Virat Kohli's tally of 4188 runs. The Pakistani skipper is now just 40 runs shy of surpassing Rohit Sharma's record of 4231 runs in T20 Internationals.Meanwhile, Australia's Marcus Stoinis led the run chase with a blistering 61 not out off 27 balls, guiding the hosts to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. The win completed Australia's 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan.Babar Azam's achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting prowess and consistency in the shortest format of the game. His ability to anchor the innings and score runs at a rapid pace has made him one of the most feared batsmen in T20 cricket.

PCB Cancels National Women's Championship Due to Fire IncidentThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to abruptly end the National Women's Championship in Karachi on Monday after a fire broke out in the team hotel, narrowly missing five players.According to a PCB statement, the incident occurred when only five players were present in the hotel. The PCB swiftly evacuated them to the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre, ensuring their safety.The PCB explored alternative accommodations for the teams, but due to the ongoing Ideas Defence Exhibition in Karachi, no suitable hotels were available. The board prioritized the health and safety of the players, leading to the decision to cancel the tournament."The unavailability of alternative accommodations to meet the approximately 100 rooms of the required standards contributed to this outcome," the PCB statement explained.To determine the tournament winner, the PCB announced that the Invincibles and the Stars, the top two teams after four matches each, will face off in the final. The date and venue for the final will be announced later.The PCB expressed relief that no players were injured in the incident and thanked the hotel staff for their prompt response. The board also apologized for any inconvenience caused to the teams and fans.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to make his return to domestic cricket with Bengal in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The announcement comes as a welcome boost for Team India, which is preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia with a relatively inexperienced pace attack.Shami's return to domestic cricket marks an important step in his comeback journey. The 32-year-old has been sidelined with injuries for much of the past year, but he has shown signs of regaining his form in recent matches. In Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, Shami took seven wickets and scored 36 runs, demonstrating his all-round abilities.Shami's form is a positive sign for Team India, which is heading to Australia with a pace attack that lacks experience at the highest level. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the only two bowlers in the squad with significant Test experience, while the likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep are yet to establish themselves at the international level.Shami's experience would be invaluable in Australia, where he has a proven track record. In eight Tests down under, he has taken 31 wickets at an average of 32.16, including best figures of 6/56. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace would be a major asset for India in the challenging conditions in Australia.If included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami will be looking to reclaim his spot in the Indian team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and the Indian Premier League in 2025. His return to domestic cricket is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

India's recent loss to New Zealand at home has left a bitter taste in their mouths, and former captain and coach Ravi Shastri believes the team needs to start strong in the upcoming Test series against Australia to put that defeat behind them.Shastri pointed out that India was "caught unawares" by New Zealand, who ended India's unbeaten run at home that lasted over 12 years and 18 series. He believes that the team will be hurting after this defeat and will be eager to bounce back."The best way to bounce back from such a series is to start off another series in a good manner, so the first two Test matches become extremely crucial going ahead," Shastri said.He emphasized the importance of the coaching staff, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, in ensuring that the players are in a "good state of mind" going into the five-Test affair starting on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth."The most important thing will be to ensure that they start off well; they keep the players in a good state of mind. That will be the most important thing for the coach," he said.Shastri, who was India's head coach during their series wins Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21, urged India to draw confidence from those feats."It's playing on their mind, confidence-wise. You can't go to the negatives. Think about the positives," he said."Think about what you did in Australia last time around and take it ahead from there. Put what (has) happened behind you. These are different conditions and some of the tracks in Australia when you get in are probably the best to bat," Shastri said."I think it will be totally different, the conditions when they get out there," he added.

Indian Cricket Team's Lighthearted Photoshoot Highlights Camaraderie Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAs the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the Indian cricket team has engaged in a lighthearted and memorable photoshoot, offering fans a glimpse into their camaraderie and the playful banter that characterizes their interactions.Among the participants were Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and the ever-charismatic Virat Kohli. In a moment captured by the BCCI's social media team, Sarfaraz and Siraj were heard calling Kohli a "legend" as he wrapped up his segment.Despite his ongoing struggles with consistency in all formats of the game, Kohli's stature as a global cricket icon continues to inspire those around him. In another playful interaction, KL Rahul was asked to name the most famous contact on his phone. Without hesitation, Rahul responded, "Virat Kohli," showcasing the batting maestro's unparalleled status both on and off the field.Beyond the lighthearted moments, the team's preparations for the series have been meticulous. Match simulations have been taking place to prepare Team India for one of the biggest challenges of the year. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22 at Perth's Optus Stadium, promises to be a thrilling showdown between two cricketing giants, India and Australia.With five intense Test matches on the cards, the series holds immense significance as both teams vie for supremacy in the longest format. India, led by Jasprit Bumrah in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, will look to build on their historic success in Australia during their last two visits. Meanwhile, Australia, buoyed by home advantage and a formidable squad, will aim to reclaim their lost legacy against India.The Indian team's camaraderie and lighthearted interactions, as captured in the photoshoot, serve as a reminder of the team's unity and determination as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

KL Rahul Reveals Virat Kohli as the Most Famous Person in His Contact ListAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted a light-hearted Q&A session with Indian batter KL Rahul. Among the questions posed, Rahul was asked to name the most famous person in his contact list. Without hesitation, Rahul promptly replied, "Virat Kohli," eliciting laughter and amusement from fans and fellow cricketers.Rahul's response is a testament to the enduring friendship between the two cricketing icons. Kohli, widely hailed as one of the greatest modern-day cricketers, has not only dominated Indian cricket but has also left an indelible mark on the global cricketing landscape. His influence extends far beyond the sport, making him a household name.Rahul's answer underscores the deep bond they share, having played together in countless international matches and sharing both triumphs and setbacks on and off the field. Their camaraderie and mutual respect were evident throughout the Q&A session, with Rahul's candid response highlighting the admiration he holds for Kohli.During the same session, pacer Mohammed Siraj posed a question to Kohli, asking him to select his favorite knock in Australia. Kohli reminisced about his remarkable century in Perth during the 2018-19 series, describing it as his top pick.Despite India's heavy defeat by 146 runs in that match, Kohli's innings stood out as a beacon of brilliance. He was the lone Indian batter to shine, showcasing his resilience and determination in challenging conditions. His century remains a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.As Kohli responded to questions from the BCCI's Social Media team, both Sarfaraz and Mohammed Siraj were heard enthusiastically exclaiming "Legend, Legend," a clear indication of the profound respect he commands from his teammates.