Cricket

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, has expressed his desire to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite retiring from international cricket earlier this year. Anderson, who holds the record for the most Test wickets by a pacer, has registered for the IPL auction scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah.The 42-year-old Anderson, who currently serves as England's bowling coach, has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crore. Notably, Anderson has never played in any global T20 franchise league.Anderson's decision to enter the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, given his age and lack of recent T20 experience. However, the veteran pacer believes he still has the skills and fitness to compete at the highest level."I feel like I've still got something to offer in T20 cricket," Anderson said. "I've been bowling well in the nets and I'm confident I can still perform at the highest level."Anderson's entry into the IPL auction adds another dimension to the upcoming event. The IPL is the most lucrative T20 league in the world, and Anderson's presence will undoubtedly attract interest from franchises.However, Anderson's former teammate and England's Test captain Ben Stokes has not registered for the auction. Stokes, who is considered one of the best all-rounders in the world, has opted to focus on his international commitments.In total, 1574 players have registered for the IPL auction, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations. The 10 franchises have already announced their retained players, and the remaining 204 slots will be filled at the two-day auction.

AFG vs BAN Live Updates: Afghanistan Aim to Extend Winning Streak in First ODIAfghanistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in the first ODI of a three-match series in Sharjah on Wednesday, with both teams eager to make a statement. Afghanistan, buoyed by their recent ODI series triumph over South Africa, will be confident of extending their winning streak. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing Test series defeat against the same opponents.Afghanistan have made Sharjah one of their home grounds, giving them a significant advantage in terms of familiarity with the conditions. They will be led by experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who has been in impressive form of late. Other key players to watch out for include opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, middle-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi, and spinner Rashid Khan.Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be without their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently serving a suspension. In his absence, Liton Das will lead the team and will be hoping to set the tone with a strong performance at the top of the order. Other key players for Bangladesh include opener Tamim Iqbal, middle-order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, and pacer Mustafizur Rahman.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a blend of experience and youth. Afghanistan will be aiming to continue their winning ways and consolidate their position as a rising force in ODI cricket. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be determined to prove that they are still a formidable opponent and can challenge the best teams in the world.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, face a crucial test in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. After a disappointing home series against New Zealand, where both players struggled for form, their futures in the Test format are under scrutiny.Rohit, who became India's first captain to suffer a whitewash at home in Tests, has managed only 91 runs in three matches against New Zealand. His dismissals have raised concerns about his technique against pace bowling, particularly his tendency to mistime pull shots.Virat, who turned 36 recently, is enduring a dismal year in red-ball cricket, averaging just 22.72 in six games. The Australian tour, where he has a strong record, could be a make-or-break moment for the former India captain.Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Virat can overcome his current struggles. "The best thing about Virat is the determination and the hunger to achieve more," Srikkanth said. "Add to that his enviable record in Australia and I think he will bounce back strongly."However, the situation is more complex for Rohit. Srikkanth suggests that Rohit may need to adjust his batting style to succeed in Australia. "It is important to give yourself a little more time in the middle, especially in Australia, before going for the shots," he said.Rohit's captaincy is also under pressure. If India performs poorly in Australia, the blame will likely fall on him. Sunil Gavaskar has even suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should take over as captain for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable for the first Test.Srikkanth warns Rohit that his strength can become his weakness in Australia. "The Aussies have seen that Rohit isn't at his best with the pull shot early on in his innings," he said. "They are going to bowl slightly short at a good pace on bouncy tracks to Rohit, asking him to go for his favorite stroke."Rohit and Virat must justify the belief in their abilities and keep the Indian flag flying high in Australia. Their performances in the upcoming series will have a significant impact on their futures in the Test format.

Team India's future under Gautam Gambhir's leadership has come under scrutiny following the disappointing 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. The lack of clarity within the coaching setup has raised concerns, particularly regarding the roles of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate.Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary Indian cricketer, expressed his amusement at the ambiguity surrounding the coaching team. He questioned Nayar's designation and the dual roles of both Nayar and Ten Doeschate as assistant and batting coaches.Gavaskar urged Gambhir to take a more proactive role in guiding the Indian batters, given his extensive experience in Australian conditions. He emphasized that Gambhir's knowledge could prove invaluable in helping the team overcome the challenges they will face Down Under."For batting...what is the role of Abhishek Nayar in the team? Is he a batting coach or an assistant coach? Gambhir has scored a lot more runs than the two, so if he can step in and guide the players on how to bat in Australian conditions and the type of approach they should take, then we can probably perform better," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar also warned Gambhir that his honeymoon period is over and that he now needs to deliver results. He stressed that the team's performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be crucial in determining Gambhir's future as head coach.Some of Gambhir's decisions have been publicly criticized by experts and former cricketers. His decision to drop Shubman Gill for the third Test against New Zealand was met with particular disapproval.The Indian team's preparations for the Australia tour have been overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding the coaching setup. The lack of clarity and the absence of a clear leadership structure could hinder the team's progress and affect their chances of success in the upcoming series.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, Punjab Kings have announced the retention of batters Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh for the upcoming season.Prabhsimran, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has been with Punjab since 2019 and has amassed 756 runs in 34 games, averaging 22.24 with a strike rate of 146.23. Last season, he played some impressive innings, showcasing his potential.Shashank Singh emerged as a key player for Punjab last season, scoring 354 runs in 14 games at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 164.65. His ability to bat at multiple positions in the order and his exceptional fielding skills make him a valuable asset to the team.Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon expressed the franchise's goal of winning the IPL trophy this season. He praised newly appointed head coach Ricky Ponting, describing him as one of the sharpest minds in cricket."This auction will be critical as we go there with maximum purse. We will build on what we have at the moment. It will be an interesting auction, especially for us, as we also have a new coach in Ricky Ponting. He is one of the sharpest minds in cricket. You will see us develop an extraordinary team. Our goal is to go for silverware this year - nothing short of that," Menon said.Menon emphasized the franchise's faith in Prabhsimran Singh, stating that they have witnessed his development over the past six years. He believes Prabhsimran is on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues.Regarding Shashank Singh, Menon highlighted his versatility and passion, which were key factors in his retention. He also praised Shashank's gun fielding abilities.Earlier this year, Punjab Kings appointed Ricky Ponting as their head coach. Menon hinted that Ponting's fresh ideas and experience will be instrumental in the upcoming auctions.

Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have come under intense scrutiny following India's humiliating Test series defeat against New Zealand. Both batters failed to deliver, contributing to India's clean sweep loss at home. As India prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, questions linger about the duo's future.Former Australian cricketer David Warner, however, believes that age is irrelevant for Sharma and Kohli. He emphasized that their performance will be crucial for India's success in the series. "Age is just a number," Warner said. "But those two hold the key to how India are going to go."Sharma and Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the home Test season. In the third and final Test against New Zealand, Sharma was dismissed for 11 runs, while Kohli managed only one run. Their poor form has raised concerns ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Sharma's home season has been particularly disappointing. In 10 innings, he has scored only 133 runs at an average of 13.30. Kohli, too, has struggled, averaging 29.40 in Tests this year.Despite their recent struggles, Warner believes that Sharma and Kohli remain formidable opponents. "Their attitude, if it's on, they are two guys who are hard to stop," he said. "It's going to be a big summer for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."India's hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time hinge on a strong performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A massive win in the series would secure their place at Lord's next year.

Australia's T20I team will be led by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis in the upcoming series against Pakistan, as Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are unavailable due to paternity leave and Test preparation, respectively. Inglis, 29, will become the 14th T20I captain for Australia, having been approved by the board following a recommendation from the selectors.Inglis's appointment as captain is a surprise to some, as he has not led at BBL level. However, he is highly regarded for his leadership credentials and tactical nous. He was appointed captain of a strong Prime Minister's XI in a first-class match against West Indies in November 2022.Inglis was also vice-captain of the Perth Scorchers last season and a key part of their leadership group. He was strongly considered to take over the captaincy when Ashton Turner suffered a season-ending injury, but Aaron Hardie was chosen instead due to a preference not to have a wicketkeeper-captain so far from his younger bowlers.Australia's selectors do not have the same concerns at international level given the experience of bowlers in the side. The team has a history of having an interim wicketkeeper captain, with Matthew Wade serving as vice-captain in recent years and standing in as skipper in 13 games, including during the 2022 World Cup.The T20I series against Pakistan will also see a change in coaching staff, with head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Michael Di Venuto, and bowling coach Daniel Vettori taking a short break. Assistant coach Andre Borovec will take charge, as he did for Australia's five-match T20I series against India last October. Former Australia batter Brad Hodge will also work with the group as an assistant coach, while Matthew Wade has been appointed interim fielding and keeping coach.Australia's T20I squad vs Pakistan:* Sean Abbott* Xavier Bartlett* Cooper Connolly* Tim David* Nathan Ellis* Jake Fraser-McGurk* Aaron Hardie* Josh Inglis (c)* Spencer Johnson* Glenn Maxwell* Matthew Short* Marcus Stoinis* Adam Zampa

India's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the team's batting approach and the role of the batting coach. Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized the Indian batting coach for failing to guide the young batsmen in the nuances of Test cricket.India's 0-3 whitewash at home was largely attributed to their inability to handle spin bowling on turning pitches. Kiwi spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel wreaked havoc, taking 13 and 11 wickets respectively. Basit Ali believes that the Indian batsmen were too aggressive and failed to adapt to the conditions."Who is India's batting coach, not able to advise the batsmen that you approach Tests session by session? Trying to score 10-12 runs every over is not cricket," said Basit.He pointed out that young batsmen like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal threw away their wickets after getting starts. "Is there no one to tell players like Jaiswal and Gill that when you reach 30-35, then don't get out playing loose shots, try to play out the session? Because only a set batsman can be successful (on such tracks), at that time he is your Bradman," said Basit.Basit also questioned the decision to prepare turning pitches for the series. "Jaiswal scored 200 against England. Those were better pitches. (Rahul) Dravid has a better mind (as a coach) compared to Gautam. Dravid used to advise for four-day pitches, so that a Test match goes at least until the fourth day. Let it turn from the third, fourth day, fifth day," he said."But you guys are asking for wickets (that turn) from the first day, where someone who is not a regular spinner will get turn even if he bowls straight. Santner took 13 wickets in one Test, something he may not have done in a series of five ODIs," he added.India's batting coach is currently unclear, with assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate not having a specific role in that area. Basit believes that the lack of a dedicated batting coach has contributed to the team's struggles.India will face a tough challenge in their upcoming tour of Australia, where they will play five Test matches. The first Test begins on November 22 in Perth.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could be a watershed moment for senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Following India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand at home, questions have been raised about the future of these star players.In an interview with India Today, Gavaskar emphasized that there are numerous talented young players eager for opportunities, and the Australia series could be the last chance for some senior players to prove their worth. "I think it could be a tour which could decide a lot of futures," Gavaskar said. "They are at an age and stage in their careers where there will be a second ring of players looking to get an opportunity."According to a report by PTI, the BCCI is evaluating the shocking defeat against New Zealand and considering a structured phaseout policy for senior players before the start of the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The five-match Test series against Australia could be the final one for at least two of the four senior players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin.An informal discussion is expected between BCCI officials, the chairman of selectors, the head coach, and the captain to determine the future of the aging team. "Stocks will be taken certainly," a senior BCCI source told PTI. "But with the Australia series round the corner and the squad already announced, there won't be any tinkering."However, if India fails to qualify for the WTC final in England, it is likely that all four senior players will not be part of the team for the subsequent five-Test series in the UK. "In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together," the source added.The upcoming Test series against Australia will be a crucial test for the Indian team and its senior players. The results could have a significant impact on the future of Indian cricket and the transition to a new generation of players.