Cricket

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, has been under immense scrutiny following India's humiliating 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. The defeat has raised questions about Rohit's leadership and his ability to inspire his team to perform at the highest level.Rohit's struggles with the bat have been particularly concerning. In six innings during the series, he managed only 91 runs, averaging a meager 13.30. This is a far cry from the prolific run-scorer he has been in recent years. Rohit's poor form has put pressure on the rest of the batting lineup, which has also failed to deliver consistently.Compounding Rohit's batting woes, his decision-making as captain has also been criticized. In the first Test in Kanpur, he opted to bat first on a pitch that was clearly more suited to bowling. This decision backfired spectacularly, as India was bowled out for just 124 runs in their first innings.Rohit's decision to field first in the second Test in Mumbai was also questionable. The pitch was expected to deteriorate over the course of the match, and batting first would have given India the advantage of setting a large total. However, New Zealand batted first and scored 325 runs, putting India under pressure from the outset.Rohit's captaincy has also been criticized for its lack of aggression. In the past, India has been known for its attacking style of play, but under Rohit's leadership, the team has appeared more cautious and conservative. This has led to accusations that Rohit is too risk-averse and that he is not inspiring his players to play to their full potential.Rohit's struggles have come at a time when India is facing a crucial period in its Test cricket history. The team is currently ranked fourth in the World Test Championship standings, and it needs to win the remaining four Tests in the series against Australia to qualify for the final.Rohit's form and leadership will be under intense scrutiny in the upcoming Tests. If he can rediscover his batting touch and inspire his team to victory, he will silence his critics and prove that he is still the right man to lead India. However, if he continues to struggle, India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final will be in jeopardy.

Kevin Pietersen Raises Concerns Over Declining Batting Techniques in Test CricketFormer England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has expressed his concerns about the deteriorating quality of batting techniques in Test cricket. Pietersen believes that the shift towards aggressive, boundary-centric play has led to a decline in traditional batting skills.In a recent tweet, Pietersen highlighted the lack of application and technique in Test cricket, attributing it to the emphasis on "smackers" and the disintegration of Test match batting skills. He emphasized the importance of spending hours practicing against spin bowling, as there is no quick remedy for improving batting skills.Pietersen's comments reflect the growing sentiment among cricket purists who worry that the focus on T20 and limited-overs formats is undermining the art of Test batting. His call for extensive practice against spin underlines the necessity for batters to invest significant time and effort to hone their skills in the longer format of the game.As cricket continues to evolve, Pietersen's remarks serve as a reminder of the enduring value of traditional techniques and the need for a balanced approach to batting across all formats.

Australia's triumph over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) marked a historic milestone, solidifying their position as the most successful team against Pakistan in the ODI format. With a thrilling 2-wicket victory, Australia extended their winning streak to 71 matches against Pakistan, equaling West Indies' record.This victory was particularly significant as Australia achieved it in 28 fewer matches than West Indies. Australia's 71 wins have come in 109 matches, while Pakistan has managed only 34 victories. West Indies, on the other hand, required 137 games to reach the same tally.Australia's dominance in ODI cricket was further highlighted by Mitchell Starc's remarkable achievement. The left-arm speedster became the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets in Australia, surpassing the legendary Brett Lee. Starc achieved this milestone in just 54 innings, while Lee took 55 innings.Starc's performance in the series opener was a testament to his exceptional skills. He claimed three wickets for 33 runs in his 10-over spell, including the dismissals of openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub. His blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for the Pakistani batsmen.Australia's victory not only extended their winning streak against Pakistan but also showcased the depth and talent of their squad. The team's ability to overcome adversity and secure a narrow victory is a testament to their resilience and determination.As the series progresses, Australia will look to maintain their dominance and secure a series victory. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and prove their mettle against one of the world's top teams.

In the era of modern cricket, workload management has become a crucial aspect of player longevity and performance. However, the recent decision by senior Indian players to skip the Duleep Trophy has raised questions about the balance between international commitments and domestic responsibilities.In 2007, despite a grueling Test tour of South Africa and an upcoming World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, and Sourav Ganguly prioritized the Ranji Trophy final for Mumbai. Within 48 hours, they were back in action for an ODI series against Sri Lanka.In contrast, senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja opted out of the Duleep Trophy despite a significant break after the T20 World Cup. This decision has sparked debate about the importance of domestic cricket for elite players.Former India opener Devang Gandhi believes that playing domestic cricket is essential for batters to regain form. He cites Tendulkar's double century in the Ranji Trophy semi-final and century in the final in 2000, just days after playing ODIs.Kohli and Rohit have played significantly fewer first-class matches than Tendulkar, with 32 and 61 games respectively. While workload management is crucial, Gandhi argues that one Duleep Trophy game could have been beneficial.Former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad acknowledges the increased volume of cricket but suggests making the Irani Cup mandatory for star players. He also advocates for a structured rotation policy to manage workloads.Another former selector, Jatin Paranjpe, emphasizes the need for clear expectations from stakeholders to avoid awkward situations. He suggests making it mandatory for Indian team members to play at least one or two domestic games before major Test series.The BCCI has emphasized the importance of big players participating in domestic engagements but allowed them to skip the Duleep Trophy. Prasad believes that scheduling home Test series in a way that allows for Ranji Trophy rounds to precede them could be a solution.

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladesh all-rounder, has been requested by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to undergo an analysis of his bowling action. This request comes after umpires reported him during his solitary appearance for Surrey in the County Championship this season.Shakib, now 37, made a significant impact in his first County Championship appearance since 2011, claiming nine wickets for Surrey in a thrilling clash with Somerset at Taunton in September. As a left-arm spinner, he had agreed to a short-term deal to bolster Surrey's resources during their title push, with eight players absent on England duty.Despite his immediate impact, Shakib was unable to prevent Somerset from securing a remarkable 111-run victory that briefly halted Surrey's march towards their third consecutive Championship title. He bowled over 63 overs in the fixture, and while he was not no-balled for throwing at any stage, it has now emerged that the on-field umpires, Steve O'Shaughnessy and David Millns, subsequently deemed his bowling action to be suspect.Shakib is not currently suspended from playing, but negotiations are reportedly underway for him to undergo further tests in an approved location within the next couple of weeks. This is believed to be the first time that Shakib's bowling action has come under scrutiny in his illustrious career spanning two decades. He has taken a total of 712 wickets across 447 international matches, including 246 in 71 Tests.Shakib's international career is currently in limbo following protests that accompanied his withdrawal, on security grounds, from Bangladesh's Test squad to face South Africa at Mirpur last month. He had previously served as an MP for the longstanding Awami League-led government, which was toppled amid student protests in July.

Cricket has taken a significant step in combating online harassment by conducting a comprehensive social media moderation trial during the Women's T20 World Cup. The trial, powered by GoBubble's AI tool, analyzed over 1.4 million comments across 60 player and eight team accounts, revealing that nearly 20% were harmful or generated by bots.The initiative was driven by the ICC's commitment to creating a safer environment for players, particularly in light of the growing attention on women's cricket. Earlier research by ESPNcricinfo highlighted the prevalence of abuse directed at female players, making the focus on women's accounts crucial.The GoBubble tool employs two strategies: identifying abusive language in multiple languages and personalizing filters for specific players or teams. It also detects bots promoting unrelated content.Sinalo Jafta, the South African wicketkeeper-batter, has been a vocal advocate for the initiative. Prior to the service, she relied on others to remove abusive comments from her social media accounts. She believes the AI tool will empower players to share content more freely.The ICC aims to inspire more women and girls to play cricket. Finn Bradshaw, the ICC's Head of Digital, emphasized that online abuse can deter young players from pursuing the sport. The moderation service aims to alleviate this concern.Currently, the service is available to women's players until 2025, with plans to extend it to male players based on demand. The ICC will evaluate the trial's effectiveness and produce a report.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep over India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Kiwi batter Ross Taylor expressed his astonishment at the team's remarkable achievement, stating that a clean sweep was beyond their wildest dreams.The visitors dominated the series from start to finish, showcasing their superiority in all departments. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with the ball, while Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Devon Conway led the charge with the bat.Taylor hailed the team's performance as a testament to their hard work and determination. "I think the way they played throughout the whole series... I think we hoped more than thought we were going to win," he said. "But a clean sweep - I think it still hasn't quite sunk in among the New Zealand public, probably for the players as well."The series victory has provided a much-needed boost to cricket in New Zealand, a nation where rugby reigns supreme. "Cricket is fighting for an audience," Taylor noted. "After losing in Sri Lanka, the press after that has changed around completely. I don't think we've had scenes like this since winning the (last) World Test Championship."Taylor believes the team's success in India will inspire future generations of Kiwi cricketers. "It just tells you how high the New Zealand cricket public holds the Indian cricket team and what it's like to go and win over there," he said. "After winning the first Test, it gave the team as well as the public some belief, but I don't think even in our wildest dreams we imagined a clean sweep."New Zealand's triumph is a testament to their resilience and adaptability. They overcame challenging conditions, including India's spin-friendly pitches, to secure a historic victory. The series sweep will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable moments in New Zealand cricket history.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead the team, citing his match-winning performances and ability to perform in all conditions. He highlighted Pant's impact in the third Test against New Zealand, where he kept the Kiwis on edge throughout his innings."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain. He's worthy of it, whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front," Kaif said. "He's scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia, or South Africa. Be it seaming to turning tracks, he's a complete batter."Kaif also praised Pant's remarkable improvement in recent years, particularly in his wicket-keeping skills. He believes that Pant has the potential to become a legend of the game."When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically," Kaif added. "Hence, I believe from the current lot, if you're looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor, especially in Test cricket."While Pant has the credentials to lead the team, Jasprit Bumrah remains the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, according to the BCCI selection committee. However, Kaif's endorsement of Pant adds another dimension to the discussion and highlights the growing belief in the wicket-keeper batter's leadership abilities.

New Zealand's stunning 3-0 series sweep over India at home has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, leaving Australia wary ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.Australia's pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood believes the embarrassing loss could serve as a wake-up call for India, who are now facing a confidence crisis. "It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak," Hazlewood told Sydney Morning Herald. "We will see that when they come out."The Kiwis' triumph marks India's first-ever 3-0 whitewash at home, exposing glaring weaknesses in their batting lineup. In the Bengaluru Test, India collapsed to a dismal 46 runs in the first innings, followed by another batting failure in the second innings.The second Test saw a similar pattern, with India's batsmen failing to capitalize on a strong bowling performance. Chasing 359 runs for victory, they were dismissed for 245 runs.The final Test in Mumbai was another low-scoring affair, with India set a target of 147 runs. Despite a fighting half-century from Rishabh Pant, the batting lineup crumbled once again, bowled out for 121 runs.Hazlewood acknowledged the Kiwis' exceptional performance, stating, "Credit to the Kiwi boys. They played outstanding cricket. To win 3-0 in India is unbelievable."The India vs Australia series commences on November 22 with the first Test taking place in Perth. Adelaide Oval will host the second Test from December 6th to 10th, featuring the captivating day-night format under lights. Brisbane's Gabba will be the venue for the third Test, scheduled from December 14th to 18th. The traditional Boxing Day Test, slated for December 26th to 30th at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the penultimate stage of the series. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.