Sports / The Times of India
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Virat Kohli's guidance for his growing discipline and work ethic. Inspired by Kohli's consistency, Jaiswal emphasizes the importance of routine and process for a long career. As he prepares for his first Australian tour and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Jaiswal expresses excitement despite the challenging conditions.
Jasprit Bumrah is set to captain India in the first Test against Australia in Perth, starting Friday. Bumrah expressed confidence in the team's preparation and backed Virat Kohli to overcome his recent form slump. He acknowledged the lessons learned from the New Zealand series but emphasized the team's focus on the unique challenges of the upcoming series.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia commences on Friday, with both teams vying for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final. The series showcases a blend of seasoned players and rising stars, including India's Yashasvi Jaiswal and Australia's debutant Nathan McSweeney, promising an exciting contest for cricket fans.
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami playfully countered Sanjay Manjrekar's speculation about his potential IPL auction value. Manjrekar expressed concerns over Shami's injury history impacting his price, despite the bowler's recent return to form in domestic cricket. Shami, with a base price of 2 crore, aims to prove his fitness and attract strong bids in the upcoming auction.
Lautaro Martinez equaled Diego Maradona's record of 32 goals for Argentina with a decisive goal against Peru in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His second-half volley secured a 1-0 victory for Argentina, solidifying their top position. Martinez's achievement marks him as one of Argentina's most prolific scorers, trailing only Lionel Messi in the all-time rankings.
The BCCI is set to implement an accelerated process for the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah on November 24 & 25 to expedite the sale of over 450 players after the 116th player.
Cheteshwar Pujara's absence in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy leaves a void in India's batting lineup. Pujara's ability to wear down Australian bowlers with his patient batting style was instrumental in India's recent success Down Under.
India and Australia will face off in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that starts on November 22 in Perth. Spin bowlers are expected to be crucial in the series where seamers are likely to be central figures. Nathan Lyon will lead the Australian spin attack. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are in contention for India.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy returns as India prepare to face Australia in a five-match Test series starting November 22 in Perth. India, aiming for their fifth consecutive series win, will leverage their recent dominance against an Australian side desperate to reclaim the trophy after a decade.
Mohammed Shami's fitness for international cricket is being closely monitored by the BCCI medical team. They are tracking his progress in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, assessing his weight loss and endurance after each match. The selectors will decide on his inclusion in the Australian tour and the ICC Champions Trophy based on his performance and recovery.
A Pakistani cricket fan at the Sydney Cricket Ground was asked to surrender a photo of former Prime Minister Imran Khan lifting the 1992 World Cup trophy or leave. The incident sparked debate about whether the steward's actions were justified. Khan remains a revered figure in cricket but is a polarizing political figure facing legal challenges.
The 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan faces uncertainty. India will not send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns. Pakistan opposes a hybrid model for the tournament. The International Cricket Council is trying to find a solution. Pakistan could lose revenue if the tournament is moved. Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar hopes for a resolution that benefits both countries.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has expressed concerns over India's potential Test debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy's lack of experience, particularly in the challenging conditions of Perth. He questioned the decision, drawing comparisons to seasoned all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur, who were not included in the Test squad.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden believes Akash Deep is the ideal replacement for Mohammed Shami in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Hayden praised Prasidh Krishna's recent performance but highlighted Akash Deep's suitability for the fast and bouncy pitches in Perth and Adelaide.
Italy claimed their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title after an 11-year drought, defeating Slovakia 2-0 in the final. Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti secured straight-set victories in their respective singles matches, leading Italy to a triumphant victory. The win highlights the resurgence of Italian women's tennis on the global stage.
Ravi Shastri believes Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jasprit Bumrah are the key players for India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He highlighted Jaiswal's aggressive batting style and Bumrah's exceptional fast bowling as potential game-changers. For Australia, Shastri picked Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon as the players to watch out for.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that the broadcaster for the Champions Trophy has rejected the hybrid model and the possibility of placing India and Pakistan in separate groups. The stalemate over the tournament's hosting and scheduling continues as the BCCI remains firm in its refusal to send a team to Pakistan, while the PCB objects to the hybrid model.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja praised Rishabh Pant's cricketing skills and his ability to uplift the team's spirit. Jadeja expressed hope that Pant would deliver match-winning performances in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This comes as Team India faces selection challenges with injuries and Rohit Sharma's unavailability for the opening Test in Perth.
The Indian women's hockey team, led by coach Harendra Singh, triumphed at the Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, defeating China 1-0 in the final. Deepika, the tournament's top scorer, netted the winning goal, securing India's third ACT title. This victory marks a significant comeback for the team after their disappointment of failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Indian left-arm seam bowler Khaleel Ahmed has been sent back home due to an unspecified niggle and has been replaced by Yash Dayal in the reserves. Dayal was in South Africa for the T20I series but didn't play a single match. He has now flown to Perth from Johannesburg as a replacement for injured Khaleel.
India's women's hockey team clinched the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 title with a thrilling 1-0 victory over China. Young star Deepika emerged as the tournament's top scorer, netting the decisive goal in the 31st minute from a penalty corner. This win marks India's third ACT championship, equaling South Korea's record.
Unseasonal rain in Perth has put a damper on traditional Test match pitch preparation at Optus Stadium. Curator Isaac McDonald says the rain will prevent the usual cracks from forming, but the pitch will still offer variable bounce due to the grass left on the wicket. The first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22.
Aaqib Javed, Pakistan's interim white-ball coach, emphasized that while coaches provide guidance, victories hinge on the captain's leadership and players' execution. He dismissed claims of bias in team selection, stating that decisions are based on merit and team balance. Javed highlighted the importance of game awareness and adaptability over mere strike rate in T20Is.
KL Rahul's Test record in Australia has been under scrutiny, particularly after a string of low scores lately in his career. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden advises Rahul to focus on building partnerships and batting for extended periods, emphasizing that Test matches in Australia rarely reach the fifth day. The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 in Perth.
India to wait on Shubman Gill until the morning of Perth Test: Morne Morkel
Former CSK batsman Suresh Raina believes Rishabh Pant could fetch a record-breaking price at the upcoming IPL auction. Raina highlighted Pant's captaincy experience, batting prowess, and brand value as reasons for a potential bidding war, potentially going past the Rs 25 crore mark. He also expects intense competition for other Indian captaincy options like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting Mumbai or Ahmedabad as potential host cities for India's candidature to bid for 2036 Summer Olympics, Delhi-NCR and Agra have emerged as strong contenders. The region's strategic location, robust infrastructure, and proximity to the iconic Taj Mahal are being cited as key advantages in India's bid to secure the prestigious event.
The scheduling of the Indian Premier League auction in the middle of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth has come as a surprise to former Australia players, who have expressed their disappointment, while also noting the IPL's significance and the power that it wields in the world of cricket.
Indian cricket stars soared in the latest ICC rankings, with Hardik Pandya reclaiming the top spot among T20I all-rounders and Tilak Varma making a sensational debut in the top 10 T20I batters. Varma's impressive performance in the recent series against South Africa propelled him to third place, surpassing captain Suryakumar Yadav.
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India have withdrawn their Blind cricket team from the T20 Blind World Cup scheduled in Pakistan. The government denied clearance for the team to participate in the tournament citing security concerns. This decision comes amidst ongoing political tensions between the two nations, casting a shadow over the future of sporting events involving the two countries.
Team India is gearing up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team is currently in Perth, engaging in rigorous training sessions. Fielding drills are a key focus, with an emphasis on match-specific scenarios. The team aims to sharpen skills and build camaraderie before the series opener. India and Australia will compete for the coveted trophy in a five-match Test series.
India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has identified Nitish Kumar Reddy as a player to watch in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Morkel praised Reddy's all-round abilities, highlighting his potential to provide stability in the batting lineup and offer valuable support to the team's pace attack.
Perth Stadium's 27-year-old curator, Isaac McDonald, is set to unveil a fiery pitch for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McDonald hints at a surface mirroring the recent ODI against Pakistan, promising pace and bounce that will challenge both batting lineups. Despite the pressure, McDonald is eager to see his creation host a thrilling contest between the world's best.
Josh Hazlewood admitted to feeling relieved by Cheteshwar Pujara's absence from the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, acknowledging the batter's formidable record in Australia. Despite this, Hazlewood emphasised the depth of the Indian lineup, even with Shubman Gill's injury sidelining him for the first Test and Rohit Sharma remaining in India.
Shubman Gill's participation in the first Test against Australia in Perth hangs in the balance due to a fractured thumb. Bowling coach Morne Morkel confirmed Gill's injury sustained during a practice match but remained hopeful about his recovery. Gill's impressive form this year, including three centuries, makes him a crucial player for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav recently responded to online criticism regarding his performance in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final against Australia. Yadav, who had a strong tournament overall, struggled in the final, conceding 56 runs without taking a wicket. Some fans attributed India's loss to his performance, leading to online criticism, which Yadav addressed directly on social media.
Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Ricky Ponting compared the Australia-India rivalry to the Ashes, anticipating a fiercely competitive series. Ponting encouraged both teams to maintain a competitive yet fair approach, predicting a hard-fought contest with neither side willing to give an inch.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concerns over KL Rahul's form as opener for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia. Manjrekar believes Rahul's recent performances haven't been convincing and suggests he would be better suited for the middle order.
Jasprit Bumrah is set to captain India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, as regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the match due to the birth of his second child. Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad acknowledges Rohit's importance but emphasises that no player is indispensable, expressing confidence in Bumrah's leadership and bowling prowess.
Ricky Ponting believes Virat Kohli's passionate and aggressive playing style has made him a fan favorite in Australia. Despite recent struggles, Kohli's history of strong performances in Australia, including leading India to a historic series win in 2018/19, precedes him as he prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Across formats in Australia, Virat has accumulated 3,426 runs at 56.16, with 11 centuries and 19 fifties in 70 innings, maintaining 169 as his best score.
Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar believes the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan hinges on political decisions. While the BCCI refuses to send the Indian team to Pakistan, Akhtar hopes for back-channel talks and highlights the potential financial losses for Pakistan if India doesn't participate. He remains optimistic, suggesting India might eventually agree to play.
Indian chess grandmaster D Gukesh's journey to the World Chess Championship is a tale of resilience and seizing opportunities. The war in Ukraine, a well-timed tournament win, and timely mentorship all played a role in his qualification. He now faces reigning champion Ding Liren, who himself earned the title after a hard-fought battle against Ian Nepomniachtchi.
As the Indian cricket team gears up for its Australian tour, coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are focusing on the future of the white-ball teams. The duo will utilize the tour's length to strategize and address concerns following the team's recent home series loss against New Zealand.
The Indian cricket team will soon face Australia in a five-Test series. The team's head coach Gautam Gambhir is under pressure after a poor showing against New Zealand. India lost the Test series 3-0 at home. Gambhir is looking at young players to rebuild the team. He will likely give some new players a chance in Australia.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal received a heartfelt farewell at the Davis Cup quarter-finals as he announced his retirement after a glorious 23-year career. A moving tribute video featuring messages from tennis icons like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Serena Williams, highlighted Nadal's impact on and off the court.
The Indian cricket team enjoyed a lighthearted moment during their practice session in Perth ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan amused his teammates, including Virat Kohli, with an unusual catch during fielding drills, sparking laughter and camaraderie within the squad. The Border-Gavaskar series kicks off with the opening Test in Perth, starting on November 22.
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is gearing up for a challenging Border-Gavaskar series against India, particularly highlighting the threat posed by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Marsh acknowledges their world-class skills and anticipates a tough battle. The Border-Gavaskar series begins on November 22 with the Perth Test. In Australian conditions, Ashwin's record shows 39 wickets from 10 Tests with an economy rate of 2.93.