Cricket
3-Time IPL Champion, Who Played For CSK, MI, RCB, Set To Join GT As CoachIndian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to expand the Indian core in their coaching staff by roping in former India wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel as their batting coach for IPL 2025. Parthiv is set to replace South Africa s Gary Kirsten in that role, after the latter became Pakistan s head coach, as per a report by Times of India. Parthiv is likely to feel at home at GT, having been born in Gujarat as well as having played over 15 years for the state in domestic cricket.
Prior to this, Parthiv Patel had been involved as a talent scout for five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI). After his retirement in 2020, Parthiv had been involved in the role, alongside duties as a cricket commentator and pundit.
Parthiv will join Ashish Nehra in Gujarat Titans coaching staff. As head coach of the franchise, Nehra led GT to two IPL finals in its first two seasons, winning the title in its first season 2022. Former English cricketer Vikram Solanki will continue to be the Director of Cricket for Gujarat Titans, the report further added.
Parthiv Patel has close to 3,000 IPL runs over 139 games for several franchises. He is also a three-time IPL winner as a player, having won the title as part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2010, and as part of MI in 2015 and 2017. He had also played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
During his career, Parthiv represented India in 25 Test matches and 38 ODIs.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are expected to retain Shubman Gill as their captain ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, with the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, B Sai Sudharshan and Mohit Sharma also touted as potential fellow retentions.
India Coach Breaks Silence On Desperate Claims Over Squad Change vs NZ
The Indian cricket team management decided to add all-rounder Washington Sundar into the squad for the remaining two matches following the loss against New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru. It was a sudden decision taken by head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management with many fans and experts wondering if it was done out of desperation after the loss. India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate denied any such reports and said that the decision was taken in order to add a bowling option to the side who can take the ball away from the New Zealand left-handers.
“Definitely not. They (New Zealand) are filled with four left-handers in the XI. We ve had Washy around the white-ball squad for a while and we like the way he operates. It s also nice to see that guys are getting rewarded for Ranji Trophy performance as well. We just want to make sure we re absolutely prepared for conditions here and if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option,” he told the media at the MCA Stadium ahead of India s training session.
Ten Doeschate also said that fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is currently going through a bit of a wicket drought but added that there is nothing to suggest that he is struggling with his rhythm.
“Siraj bowled beautifully in the second innings. That hour of Test match cricket on the last morning was really high quality,” he said.
“It maybe wasn t a nicking wicket, which is obviously his big strength, particularly to left-handers when he moves the ball across. There s nothing there to say like he s not bowling well or his rhythm is not good. Maybe he s just going through a little bit of a wicket drought. But no concerns again. India will have to play according to the conditions and not against fast bowling in particular, the coach added.
Pak Coach Picks Bottles After Training, Internet Says: Teach Players...
The Pakistan cricket team is currently in a rebuilding phase. Since the last few months, the Pakistan team has been suffering some big losses. Be it the ODI World Cup or the T20 World Cup, Pakistan have dealt some big losses. They even lost a Test series at home to Bangladesh recently. The Pakistan cricket team is desperate for a turnaround and coach Jason Gillespie is part of that process. A video is going viral on social media, where the former Australia star can be seen picking up water bottles at a stadium after a training session.
After the video went viral, several users commented that Pakistan players should learn from him.
This is one of the main reasons why Aussies are better than us
— Zulfi (@zulfitahir) October 22, 2024But we will not learn. @TheRealPCB please teach players so manners.
— S M Chishty (@Chishty_2014) October 22, 2024This video should highlight the fact that the players who trained have not got the basic decency to clean up after themselves, instead of praising Gillespie for doing it, which everybody understands is very nice of him.
— Rick James B.(@RickJamesBiiih) October 22, 2024As the third and final Test between Pakistan and England approaches, Pakistan s intentions for the Rawalpindi pitch are clear. By taking extreme measures, such as using giant heaters and industrial fans to accelerate the drying process, the team hopes to defy Rawalpindi s natural favouring of fast bowlers and turn it into a spinner-friendly surface—one that could prove decisive in the series.
Vice-captain Saud Shakeel noted that, unlike Multan, Rawalpindi is not naturally inclined to take turn. Shakeel explained the climatic differences between the cities, with Multan being warmer and more humid, factors that contribute to quicker wear and tear on the surface. The stakes are high for Pakistan, who are coming off a much-needed win in Multan on a spinning wicket. After victory in Multan, slipper Shan Masood, openly expressed his desire for a turning track, the team is focused on replicating the conditions that helped them level the series.
If you look at the difference between Multan and Pindi, there s a difference in climate, Shakeel said in the press conference. Multan is warmer than Pindi, Multan is warmer and more humid compared to Pindi. Pindi favours fast bowlers slightly and has more bounce, compared to Multan. The groundsman prepares according to that, and I think that s what causes the changes in the pitch.
But the way the pitch looks and the success we got in the second Test, we ll try for a similar kind of pitch that favours us and helps us win this game, he said.
Pakistan s effort to manipulate the pitch, however, has not gone unnoticed by England. English batter Harry Brook speculated that the Rawalpindi surface had been raked to encourage early deterioration, a tactic designed to bring spinners into play from the start.
In response, England announced their XI early, opting for just one specialist seamer, Gus Atkinson, and relying heavily on their spin trio, including leg spinner Rehan Ahmed. This strategic move signals that England is prepared to face another spin-heavy battle and could be a direct response to Pakistan s efforts to reshape the pitch to their advantage.
Pakistan s struggle to figure out the best use of home conditions has been ongoing since their return from playing in the UAE. Initially, the team experimented with seam-friendly pitches to capitalize on the talents of fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, leading to early successes against Sri Lanka and South Africa.
With IANS inputs
Common Sense Lacking : Ex-India Star s Damning Verdict On Rohit, Gambhir
As India collapsed to 46 all out in the first Test against New Zealand, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari criticised not only India s selection, but also the apparent lack of common sense in certain decisions taken by the team. Tiwary criticised captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing that their decision to bat despite an entire day being washed out due to rain as a bizarre decision. He also critiqued Gambhir further for not being able to guide Rohit Sharma in his selection process.
Sometimes I don t understand the decisions. Common sense seems to be lacking. What the coach or captain is trying to prove, is beyond my understanding, Tiwary said, speaking on the Cricbuzz YouTube channel.
I feel like, whenever there is a new coach or new captain, they try to prove something, and take such decisions, said Tiwary.
Tiwary pointed out that Rohit had even admitted to misreading the pitch. He stated that three pacers should ve played, while Ashwin should ve bowled more. He also said that Rohit should ve been better guided by coach Gautam Gambhir.
I knew that one of the spinners would be under-bowled, but I never imagined that it would be Ashwin. He has over 500 Test wickets. When you are defending 107, why didn t you bring him in the attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah? Tiwary continued.
Good captains also make mistakes, because a lot of things go through your mind. Here, the role of the coach to give constant guidance is very important, but I don t know why that did not happen, he added.
Tiwary also said that pacer Akash Deep s confidence may have been affected after he was dropped from the XI.
Akash Deep s confidence must ve suffered a big blow when he found out he wasn t part of the playing XI against Bangladesh, said Tiwary.
He was outstanding in the Bangladesh series, and his confidence would ve been sky-high. Having seen the conditions on Day 1, he would ve been shocked to find out that he d been dropped from the team, Tiwary added.
India have two more Tests remaining in the series against New Zealand to make a comeback.
Bangladesh Fight To Prevent Innings Defeat Against South Africa At Home
Bangladesh were battling to save the first Test against South Africa on Tuesday after reaching 101-3 at stumps and still needing another 101 to avoid an innings defeat. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (38) and Mushfiqur Rahim (31) were unbeaten at the end of play in Mirpur. Their 42-run stand for the fourth wicket also made Mushfiqur the first Bangladeshi to cross 6,000 career Test runs. South Africa were all out for 308 in their first innings of 308, which secured a 202-run lead for the visitors thanks to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne s century.
It is probably the toughest conditions I have played under in terms of heat and humidity, Verreynne said.
Ninety percent of that innings was just against spin. Things happen quickly. You don t have much time to reset from a concentration point of view. This was certainly my most rewarding innings.
Bangladesh lost two early wickets to quick Kagiso Rabada in reply with Shadman Islam first to go, caught at short leg for one in the third over.
Three balls later, Mominul Haque edged and Wiaan Mulder took a sharp catch at third slip for naught, leaving the hosts dangling on 19-2 before tea.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell lbw to Keshav Maharaj after a gruelling 23 off 49 balls.
Bangladesh would have lost another wicket off the last of the day when Mahmudul went for a wild slog and missed the ball, avoiding a stumping in the nick of time.
Verreynne was last man out in South Africa s first innings after scoring eight fours and two sixes in his 114.
He put on 119 for the seventh wicket with Mulder, who made 54, in reply to Bangladesh s first innings of 106.
It was South Africa s highest seventh-wicket stand against Bangladesh, after the pair resumed at 140-6 at the start of play.
Dane Piedt, dismissed lbw for 32 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, partnered Verreynne in a stand of 66 runs for the ninth wicket.
Sticking to the basics
Bangladesh quick bowler Hasan Mahmud took two wickets in two balls in the 65th over, the only spot of brightness in a morning session where South Africa added 103.
Test cricket is like that, Hasan said when asked how the hosts had managed to concede 200 runs for the last four wickets.
In those situations, the focus for bowlers shifts to containing the flow of runs and building pressure on the batsmen. It s all about sticking to the basics.
Hasan finished with 3-66 and Mehidy 2-63, finally wrapping up the innings when Verreynne was stumped after facing 144 balls.
Rabada on Monday become the fastest to reach 300 Test wickets as Bangladesh collapsed after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam passed 200 Test wickets as he finished with 5-122, only the second Bangladeshi to achieve the feat after Shakib Al Hasan.
Bangladesh have never beaten South Africa in a Test and second of the two-match series begins in Chattogram on October 29.
Gaaliyan De Rahe... : Pak Star Blasted By Compatriot For Abhishek Send-off
The Indian cricket team s performance at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup has been great. With victories against Pakistan and UAE, the Tilak Varma-led team are in the semi-final. Stars like Abhishek Sharma, Ramandeep Singh and others have been performing well. In the match against Pakistan, a face-off between India s star batter Abhishek Sharma and Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem hogged limelight. Openers Abhishek and Prabhsimran took India off to a flying start against by scoring 68 runs in the powerplay. Pakistan then brought left-arm spinner Muqeem into the attack and he struck on the very first ball. While a celebration from Pakistan was quite obvious, Muqeem incited Abhishek by giving him a fiery send-off.
The celebration did not go down well former Pakistan cricket team player captain Basit Ali.
The cricket was top-class, but one thing that really upset me was what happened after Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma. Bahut badi zyatti hui hai. If Basit Ali was sitting in the dugout or was the team manager, I would have told Sufiyan, Beta Samaan uthaye aur wapas jaye (Son, pick up your things and go back). You haven t even played proper cricket for Pakistan yet, and you re already using abusive language. What kind of behaviour is this?” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
Then you see Abbas Afridi, when his ball hit the batter, he went on to check on him. Aap gaaliyan de rahe hai, kya aapne hat-trick leliya (You re hurling abuses — did you take a hat-trick or something)? You re not at that level yet. The management needs to teach young players how to respect the opposition.
Basit Ali on extravagance aggression of young Pakistani bowler towards Abhishek Sharma : pic.twitter.com/fZkYsvhHn1
— Nikhil Bishnoi (@Nikhilgodara4) October 22, 2024After opting to bat first, India A posted a solid total of 183 for 8 in 20 overs at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. Tilak top-scored with 44 off 35, while Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19) and Abhishek (35 off 22) also played crucial cameos.
India scored 68 runs in the first powerplay but the introduction of spinners brought Pakistan back in the game. Despite getting blows at regular intervals, India managed to post a solid total on the board. Sufiyan Muqeem was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with figures of 2 for 28.
In reply, Pakistan fought really well and even dominated the match at certain stages but India s remarkable comeback handed the Tilak Varma-led side a well-deserved victory. Anshul Kamboj was the top wicket-taker for India with figures of 3 for 33. Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sindhu also picked two wickets each.
India Star s Gymkhana Membership Revoked Over Father s Religious Activity
Khar Gymkhana has revoked the membership of Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues. The decision was made unanimously during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Gymkhana, following complaints from several members regarding the misuse of membership privileges by her father, Ivan Rodrigues. According to Shiv Malhotra, a member of the managing committee of Khar Gymkhana, Ivan Rodrigues had been booking the Presidential Hall at concessional rates using Jemimah s membership. These bookings were allegedly for organizing religious activities, which is a violation of Article 4 of the Gymkhana s by-laws. Malhotra and other members noticed these activities and, upon investigation, discovered that around 35 such events had taken place over the past year and a half.
Commenting on the revocation, Malhotra said while speaking to ANI, As far as her membership is concerned absolutely she (Jemimah) is the pride of the country. We wish her well and wish she brings more accolades to the country. There is no issue about that. The membership was given to her...The privilege was misused by her father using her membership and booking the presidential hall. The booking was for 1.5 years, our members were not getting the space...To misuse that privilege is an issue...
Madhvi Ashar, Vice President of Khar Gymkhana also opened up and said, When the motion came up for hearing and when it was explained to the members, our President was charing the meeting the house was really upset to hear all this. Spontaneously it happened that her membership should be cancelled...
The Gymkhana s decision underscores the importance of adhering to the institution s by-laws and maintaining fairness in the usage of its facilities. While Jemimah s contributions to Indian cricket are celebrated, the Gymkhana deemed it necessary to take action against the misuse of membership benefits.
Rodrigues has played so far three Tests, thirty ODIs, and 104 T20Is for India, and accumulated 3087 runs and six wickets.
Warner Set To Come Out Of Retirement For IND Tests? AUS Star Drops Bombshell
Former Australian opener David Warner has revealed that he is ready to reverse his retirement from Test cricket if Australia call on him to fill a vacancy at the top of the batting order for the upcoming series against India. Warner, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year after a distinguished career spanning 112 Tests, said he would even be willing to play in New South Wales next Sheffield Shield match to prove his readiness. Warner made it clear that his offer was serious, denying any suggestion that his comments were made in jest. “I m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told Code Sports. “I m always dead serious. Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.”
The 37-year-old, widely regarded as one of Australia s greatest openers, retired last summer after scoring 8,786 runs and 26 centuries, including a career-best 335 not out. However, with key players like Cameron Green dealing with injury and Steve Smith returning to the No. 4 spot after a brief opening stint, Warner believes Australia may need to revisit their opening options.
“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. But my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I m not going to shy away from that,” Warner said, adding that he had cheekily messaged both Australia s head coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey about the situation. “I ve spoken to Torch (McDonald) and his answer back to me was, ‘you retired, ” Warner laughed. “I don t think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying, ‘can you come back? ”
The timing of Warner s declaration comes amid growing uncertainty about Australia s opening combination. Young talents like Sam Konstas, who impressed with back-to-back centuries for New South Wales in his Sheffield Shield debut, are being discussed as potential future options, but Victoria s Marcus Harris remains the only established candidate to score a century this season. Other contenders such as Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw have yet to make a strong case.
Warner also offered his thoughts on how Australia could restructure their batting lineup. He suggested that the team might not need a traditional opener to fill the spot he vacated. Instead, Warner floated the idea of Marnus Labuschagne, Australia s current No. 3, stepping up to open the batting.
“It doesn t necessarily have to be an opener,” Warner said. “I think you can have someone else come in and bat three, and Marnus could open. Is Nathan McSweeney (who scored 37 and 72 for South Australia) a good enough player to come in and bat three? There are options.”
Warner expressed optimism about the potential of 19-year-old Konstas, but he also noted that it may be too soon to consider him a long-term solution. “Konstas can definitely in time be that long-term opening batsman. But I think you still have to see a little bit more,” Warner added.
Better If He Hadn t Bowled : Ashwin s 5th Bowler Status Baffles Star
The Indian cricket team, known for its domination at home, was given a reality heck by New Zealand i the first Test in Bengaluru. The Rohit Sharma-led side was dismissed for just 46 in the first innings before New Zealand scored 402 in reply. Led by Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant s brave innings, India surpassed the total but a lower order collapse saw them setting a target of just 107 runs for New Zealand. Even then, Ravichandran Ashwin, the highest wicket-taker among all active cricketers, was introduced late in the attack.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra was surprised by the decision.
No doubt the runs were less but we didn t get Ashwin to bowl at all. I am not saying we would have won the match if Ashwin had bowled but we didn t get him to bowl. That was surprising and how, Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Why was Ashwin not bowled? I don t have an answer for that because if you see his numbers, he is your team s best bowler. No one has taken more wickets than him in Test matches. Left-handers were playing but you still didn t get him to bowl. It was not understandable at all.
He added that using Ashwin as the fifth bowling option was baffling.
You still understand Bumrah s long spell because only two wickets fell and he took both. However, Mohammed Siraj from the other end. Although he was bowling well with the new ball, when you stopped him, you could have got either Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or Ashwin first, that s fine, but you used Ashwin as the fifth option, Chopra said.
The match was over. There was no life left in the match. 15 or 20 runs were left and you called him to bowl. It would have been better if you hadn t bowled him at all. This question should have been asked in the post-match press conference - Rohit bhai, what did you do? . I thought India definitely missed a trick and it is beyond my understanding why he wasn t bowled.
England Pick Rehan Ahmed As Third Spinner For Deciding Pakistan Test
England on Tuesday picked Rehan Ahmed as a third slow bowler for the series-deciding final Test against Pakistan on a dry Rawalpindi pitch which is expected to take spin. The 20-year-old leg-spinner will form a three-pronged spin attack when the match begins Thursday alongside left-armer Jack Leach and off-break bowler Shoaib Bashir. The three-match series is level at 1-1 after England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs in Multan. Pakistan used the same pitch for the second match which they won by 152 runs, with their spinners taking all 20 wickets.
Seam bowler Gus Atkinson was recalled with fast bowlers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts dropping out of the side.
There are two changes from the second Test in Multan with seamer Gus Atkinson returns and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is included, said an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement.
Ahmed, who took five wickets on his Test debut in Karachi in England s thumping 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in 2022, is included for the first time since a Test against India in Rajkot earlier this year.
England s decision to bring in a third spinner is prompted by another grass-less pitch prepared at Rawalpindi with Pakistan deploying industrial-sized fans and patio heaters to dry the square.
England team for the third Test: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
People Want... : Aus Batter Says He Can Bowl Bouncers, Wants To Test Kohli
When India tour Australia for a five-match Test series in November, Virat Kohli could be in for a surprise challenge. That s what Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne believes, who said that he thinks he can bowl bouncers up to 135 kmph, in an interview with Australian channel Channel 7. Labuschagne said that while he had never hit the 135 kmph mark, he has gotten quite close. In the interview, Labuschagne engaged in some friendly banter, saying that he d like to see whether Kohli would duck his bouncers.
Labuschagne claimed that he can bowl up to 135 kmph, and even has a bouncer up his arsenal.
Are you going to get the number three of Australia rolling in, bowling bouncers to Virat Kohli? People want to see that. You want to see, can you play on someone s ego. Like, are you going to be ducking bouncers from Marnus? said Labuschagne jokingly in the interview, hosted by Australian YouTube creators The Grade Cricketer.
I d love to hit a little 135 bouncer. I ve got that in me, I reckon. My highest recorded is 132. So 3 kmph, added Labuschagne in jest.
Labuschagne has 13 Test wickets so far in his 50-game long career, where he bowls legbreaks.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli will be eager to get into action against Australia, having missed three of the four Tests Down Under the previous occasion. Kohli has scored only one half-century in Tests so far in 2024.
Labuschagne is expected to be a crucial cog in the Australia middle order, as they aim to get back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having lost the last four series against India by a margin of 2-1 each time. Averaging nearly 50 in Tests, Labuschagne is expected to star at No. 3 for Australia.
Meanwhile, Australia have confirmed that Steve Smith will no longer open in Tests, and go back to his original slot of No. 4.
On Sarfaraz vs Rahul Question, Coach s Blunt No Point Sugarcoating Remark
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Tuesday that middle-order batters KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are locked in a selection battle for the second Test against New Zealand here even though head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen to give the former, a long rope. With India looking to bounce back from the eight-wicket thrashing at Bengaluru in the opening Test, focus will be on the team combination with Washington Sundar being added to the squad. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are both aiming to shake off injury concerns for the match starting Thursday.
Yeah, there s no point in sugarcoating it, there s a fight for a spot, ten Doeschate told the media when asked if Rahul and Sarfaraz were battling for a place in the team, here at the MCA Stadium ahead of India s training session.
Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test (and) said how many balls do you play at (and) miss at? He didn t play at (and) miss at one ball and that s what tends to happen when you re not getting runs.
There s certainly no concerns about KL, he s batting nicely, he s in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what s going to be best for the team, he said.
Sarfaraz scored a second-innings 150 in the Bengaluru game, while Rahul remained off-colour in both essays.
While admitting that it is difficult to keep Rahul out of the equation in the Test format, ten Doeschate said head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen to give him a long rope.
It s not like we re worried about his form. If you go on just the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he s keen to give him (Rahul) as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him, he said.
But at the same time, it s a very competitive environment, with Sarfaraz getting 150 plus runs (222 not out) in the Irani Trophy final. The decision will be what s best for the team, but we ll certainly back all the guys in, he added.
Pant, who did not keep wickets for a significant part of the opening Test, and Shubman Gill, who missed the match due to stiffness in his neck, are close to attaining their full fitness.
Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit (Sharmna) touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed, he ll be good to keep in the Test as well, he said.
He (Gill) looks so (available for this Test). He has batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets, he s got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he ll be good to go for the Test, he added.
Sarfaraz Will Sit Out, But... : BCCI Sent Triple-Ton Reminder For 2nd Test
The Indian cricket team suffered an embarrassing eight-wicket loss at the hands of New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. A poor batting display in the first innings saw India lose the game despite making a remarkable comeback in their second essay. The Rohit Sharma-led side was bundled out for a mere 46 while it scored 462 in the second innings. In India s fightback, young batter Sarfaraz Khan played a crucial role by scoring 150 off 195 balls with the help of 18 fours and three sixes.
Sarfaraz got an opportunity to play the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand as Shubman Gill missed out due to a stiff neck. However, the latter was spotted doing batting practice in Bengaluru after the end of India s game vs New Zealand. As Gill seems all set to return, the Indian team management must be having a healthy selection headache. KL Rahul or Sarafaraz, who will be dropped to rope in Gill?
While speaking on the topic, former India batter Aakash Chopra sent Karun Nair reminder. Nair, the only other triple-centurion from India after Virender Sehwag, was dropped from the playing XI right after scoring 303 not out against England in Chennai in 2016. The right-handed batter met the fate as he was serving as the replacement of Ajinkya Rahane in Chennai and the return of the latter saw Nair getting dropped.
While stating that such a theory would also see Sarfaraz getting dropped, Chopra said the team management will continue with the batter in the playing XI.
There is a theory. Karun Nair made 300, but was dropped in the next match. Why? Because he was playing in place of Ajinkya Rahane in that match, and with the latter coming back, Nair fell back in pecking order. A Test career that could have been, might have been...Nair never got that continuity. Going by that theory, Sarfaraz will sit out, but I feel that won t happen. One more thing is important in Indian cricket - outside noise - and that favours Sarfaraz right now, Chopra said on JioCinema.
We re Here To Make Amends : Pat Cummins Ahead Of BGT vs India
Australian skipper Pat Cummins is determined to make amends against India in the upcoming five-match Test series, as he aims to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in over a decade. The two teams will face off in a five-match series starting November 22 in Perth. India will come into the contest with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy firmly in their grasp, having held it for nearly a decade and winning two consecutive series in Australia. We ve had a bit of a break, so I m excited for the five match Test series. Excited to get into it, the 31-year-old said in Star Sports Press Room.
We haven t had a lot of luck against India over the last few Test series, but we always pride ourselves on playing well here in Australia. India had won the last Border-Gavaskar series in Australia 2-1 in 2020-21. Rishabh Pant s second innings heroics of unbeaten 89 in the final Test saw India chase down 328 to seal a historic three-wicket win at the Gabba.
It came after enduring a humiliating collapse in the first Test in Adelaide, where they were shot out for 36 -- their lowest-ever Test score.
The last two series were a long time ago, so I think we ve gotten over it. But we have really high expectations when we play Test cricket in Australia, Cummins said.
I think that s from the fans and the media as well. So anytime we don t win down here, of course, you look at those series a bit more closely.
The last series, in particular, was a really tough one. It went right down to that last session at the Gabba, and unfortunately, we couldn t pull it off. A lot of the guys in the team are the same as those who played in that series, and we re here to make amends, he added.
Cummins identified Rishabh Pant as India s X-factor, but stressed that his team is focused on rectifying the setbacks from four consecutive series defeats to India.
Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time. He s always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order, he said.
You never quite know what you re going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition. And he s always got something to say behind the stumps -- he s very funny, makes me laugh. Asked how the Australian bowling lineup rates talented youngsters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Cummins said: I ve played a little bit against Shubman. Haven t seen a lot of Jaiswal, just a bit in the IPL.
But they both look like young guys who ve scored a fair few runs in different formats. We ll get down here and have a good look at them. But yeah, we re still a little while away from the series, so I can t say I ve been planning too closely for them yet. Cummins also rued about missing key all-rounder Cameron Green who has been ruled out for six months after choosing to undergo surgery for a stress fracture in his lower back.
He s a big loss for us. Not only for his batting, but he s probably the best gully fielder I ve ever seen, and a great bowler we need as well, so we re really going to miss him, he said.
Australia will face Pakistan in a white-ball series before the much-anticipated Test series against India.
It will be the first Test series between India and Australia comprising five matches since 1992.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
ICC Hall of Famer Cook Expresses Admiration For England s Bazball
Former England opener and recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Famer Alastair Cook expressed his admiration for the Three Lions highly-attacking and positive Bazball brand of cricket under Test captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, saying that he has not seen a team pushing as many boundaries as the current England side. Cook travelled to the UAE for the announcement of his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, where he and his family also watched the ICC Women s T20 World Cup Final between New Zealand and South Africa, which the former won.
Speaking to ICC in an interview, Cook said that the game has certainly made a big jump in regards to what is possible in Tests.
I think the jump happened in one day cricket first, probably. The fundamental change, certainly from the English point of view, is when Eoin Morgan took the side forward in 2015. And obviously, the Ben Stokes era has changed the mentality of what was possible, said Cook.
A recent example of England s new approach came in that first Test against Pakistan, when they scored 823/7 in their first innings, with Harry Brook s 317 making him the second-fastest triple centurion in history, bringing up his milestone off just 310 balls.
For Cook, it is the fact that England has so many players who play in an aggressive fashion that separates them as unusual. But he did urge fans to remember that these individual feats are not all new, and that there have been plenty of fast-scoring players in the history of the game, including the holder of the fastest triple-century, Virender Sehwag. who reached the milestone in just 278 balls against South Africa back in 2008 at Chennai. He feels that now, more and more teams are playing more aggressively in red-ball cricket.
We should not forget there were some past players who were also belligerent run-scorers as well, Cook said.
I think Harry Brook joined (Virender) Sehwag with his 300, and Sehwag s didn t come off too many balls either (278). I just think I have never seen a team push the boundaries quite as much as this England team have done.
There have obviously been great sides in the past who would score quickly, but not quite as quickly as this side seemed able and willing to do.
I am all for embracing it, and that is why I am saying comparing generations and comparing different times of cricket is very hard to do. But I do think we are seeing more players willing to put the bowlers under more pressure in red-ball cricket. I think ultimately, it is about runs scored and the end product, he concluded.
Cook is joined in the ICC Hall of Fame by fellow new inductees Neetu David and AB de Villiers.
With the series level at 1-1, the final Test of the England-Pakistan series will start at Rawalpindi from Thursday.
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Ashwin Not Fully Fit? : Ex-India Star Questions Inclusion Of Sundar vs NZ
After losing the first Test to New Zealand by eight wickets in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma-led India made a change in their squad. They added Washington Sundar in the team for the remaining two Tests against the Blackcaps. The player, who bowls right-arm off-spin and bats left-handed, was not there even in the reserves of the squad that was announced earlier for the ongoing Test series. While the new entry surprised many, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has tried to understand the reason behind the new entry.
Washington Sundar s name has come in the team. It was slightly on unexpected lines, although he scored a century just now. He was playing for Tamil Nadu and beat up Delhi. Sai Sudharsan also beat up Delhi. He scored a double hundred and Sundar scored a century, said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
Noably, R Ashwin was brought in to bowl too late on the final innings of the Bengaluru Test match. He bowled only two overs in the fourth innings that too when the game was almost over. Connecting it with Sundar s inclusion, Chopra questioned if Ashwin was completely fit or not.
He (Sundar) has been given a place in the team. The question that comes to mind is - what is the Indian team thinking? Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of fast bowlers in the traveling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit? he said.
Was it because of that he was given only two overs on the last day? He was bowled when the match was over. It just did not make sense that you don t bowl Ashwin at all. What is the logic behind that? Since you didn t bowl him, is he carrying some niggle and you want Washington Sundar as an almost like-for-like in terms of type of skill? he added.
MI, KKR Among Five IPL Franchises Bidding For Teams In The Hundred: Report
Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants are among the IPL franchises who have submitted bids to acquire teams in the English Cricket Board-run The Hundred, according to a report. The GMR Group, recently named the new owner of Hampshire, and Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United Football Club, also submitted bids before the ECB s October 18 deadline for potential investors, reported ESPNCricinfo. The ECB has invited bids for a 49 per cent stake in each of the eight franchises, with the board retaining majority control.
Expressions of interest could be for all eight teams, which would be culled to four in the next step which will start in November when the investors get to meet the host counties of each Hundred franchise, stated the report.
Following that, investors would need to prune their wishlist to four teams, as part of the second stage, which will then come down to two teams of which they would need to make their final choice. The ECB is aiming to finalise investors by early 2025 but is committed to a deliberate approach to avoid underselling what it believes is a valuable product .
ECB chairman Richard Thompson has also mentioned the possibility of a hybrid ownership model, where some teams remain under ECB control while others are sold to private investors.
The report further says while several IPL franchises showed early interest, not all followed through with bids.
Punjab Kings opted out, while there has been no confirmation on whether five-times IPL champions Chennai Super Kings and equity major CVC Capital Partners, which owns Gujarat Titans, have submitted bids, it added.
Global sports investors INEOS, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, which owns a 27% stake in Manchester United and run the football club s operations wing, have also opted out of bidding. One of the main concerns for IPL franchises was whether they would be happy being passive investors .
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Inglis Earns Maiden Call-Up As NZ Name Squad For Women s ODIs vs India
Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis earned her maiden call-up as recently-crowned Women s T20 World champions New Zealand announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India, beginning in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Inglis, 28, was rewarded for consistent performances with both bat and gloves for Otago Sparks in the women s Super Smash and New Zealand A, leading to her first New Zealand Cricket central contract in June. “We re really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour,” Head coach Ben Sawyer said in a statement.
“She put her hand up in last season s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it s a great next step for her. Lauren Down also returns to the squad after resuming international cricket in July following a maternity break.
Rosemary Mair, who sustained a serious back injury earlier this year, has been rested as part of her long-term rehabilitation.
Mair and off-spinner Leigh Kasperek are the only two players missing from the squad that won the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket,” Sawyer said.
“It s such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“Alongside trying to win the series, the tour will serve as important preparation for next year s ODI World Cup in India.” New Zealand won the Women s T20 World Cup in Dubai with a 32-run win over South Africa.
“It s been an amazing 24 hours for this group becoming T20 World Cup champions,” said Sawyer.
“We re relishing the win but when we get to India we ll need to refocus and set our sights on the next challenge.”
New Zealand Women s ODI squad: Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (WK), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Exclusive: Shami Keen On Australia Tour, Set To Take Domestic Cricket Route
The ongoing Test series against New Zealand is a good opportunity for India to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. The five-match Test series will be played in the Down Under, starting from November 22. The conditions in Australia will be challenging but Rohit Sharma and co are highly confident, courtesy of India s victory over there in the previous two editions of the BGT. Ahead of the highly-anticipated series, fans around the world are waiting for the return of India pacer Mohammed Shami.
Shami s last appearance for India came in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Since then, the pacer underwent a surgery for his knee injury and has been recovering from it since then.
Earlier this month, a report from the Times of India stated that Shami suffered a swollen during a practice session, which can affect his participation in the Tests against Australia. However, in a recent interaction with NDTV, the star pacer has confirmed that his knee is now fine and he is looking forward to play domestic cricket.
I have said this numerous times that I have not suffered any new injury. One day can go bad, maybe your decisions will go wrong. Not right to blame anyone. Out of 365 days, one day can go wrong, Shami told NDTV in an exclusive chat.
It is important to believe in the team and the skill. I am hoping to play at least one domestic match and be fully fit for the Australia series. That is my mindset, he added.
Apart from this, Shami during an interaction with ANI, also spoke about India s loss against Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.
We should have won the final. We should not blame anyone, we cannot question anything. If we look at it from the batting point of view, it s not that we did not look to score runs, Shami told ANI.
Our target was not limited. From the bowling side, we gave 100 per cent effort. There was a luck factor for them. We were almost unbeaten. We always wanted to win. The whole country was with us, their blessings were with us. Only one thing was missing, that we could not win the final. That was not our day, he added.
(With ANI Inputs)
Windbreaks, Fans, Patio Heaters: Here s How Pak Aim To Beat Eng In 3rd Test
The Pakistan vs England three-match Test series is perfectly poised at 1-1 after two matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The visitors won the first game by an innings and 47 runs, but Shan Masood-led Pakistan bounced back with a 152-run victory in the second game. What worked in favour of Pakistan in the second game was the fact that the pitch assisted their spinners in a great manner. Right-arm off break bowler Sajid Khan and left-arm orthodox Noman Ali accounted for all the 20 England wickets that fell in the game. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to prepare another turning track for the third and deciding game of the series that is set to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
To make sure the plan works properly, the PCB pitch curators have adopted some great techniques. As per a report in The Guardian, a pair of giant windbreaks, two outsized fans, and six patio heaters are being used to dry the pitch and make the surface spin-friendly ahead of the third Test vs England. The fans played a crucial role in deteriorating the Multan pitch ahead of the second Test, and PCB must be hoping for a similar result from its attempt while preparing the Rawalpindi track.
The pitch for the third test match between Pakistan and England. pic.twitter.com/eGHEP8bG4C
—(@CallMeSheri1) October 21, 2024While the patio heaters warm the air, the windbreaks keep the hot air inside a certain area, while the fans make sure that the air blows thoroughly through the targetted region.
It was a team effort, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood had said after the team s victory in the second Test.
I m happy to give credit to everyone involved in deciding conditions. We have to decide what is best for Pakistan cricket and implement that.
While talking about the conditions that will be on offer in Rawalpindi, a track hostile to spin bowling, Masood said, I would like a turning pitch. I don t know if I ve seen a turner in Rawalpindi - that s an issue. We re still hoping that the sun can play its part and the wicket can be on the drier side. I think the groundsmen are already there working on it.