Rishabh Pant has 'no injury concerns' and is set to keep wickets for India while the team will decide on Jasprit Bumrah's workload after the IND vs NZ 2nd Test starting on Thursday, said head coach Gautam Gambhir. Pant copped a blow on the second day of the opening Test in Bengaluru and was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the wickets. Pant returned to score a fine century but did not keep wickets. Pant had a hit at the nets and also had a wicket-keeping drill with Gambhir on Tuesday. "Absolutely," Gambhir said on Wednesday when asked if everything was fine with the wicketkeeper-batter. "I think he's going to keep wickets tomorrow. (There are) no other fitness concerns," he added. Bumrah has played each of the three Tests at home this season and with the Australia tour less than a month away, India will decide on resting the ace fast bowler after the IND vs NZ 2nd Test. "Once the series is over, we still have around 10 or 12 days before the (first) Test starts in Australia. That is enough break for our fast bowlers as well. But we will still monitor after this Test match where Jasprit Bumrah is," Gambhir said. "But it's not only about Jasprit Bumrah. It's about with all the fast bowlers as well. We want to keep them fresh. We know that obviously we've got a long tour and an important tour of Australia. "Workload management will definitely depend on what the outcome of this Test match is and how much have they bowled in this match," he added. Also Read: Will it be caution over ambition for India in Pune? Gambhir said that Shubman Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to stiffness in his neck, will play the IND vs NZ 2nd Test as the No. 3 batter has attained full match fitness. "Shubman Gill isn't coming into the side, he was already there. He was injured in the last match. It's not the case that he's new to the team. Because of the injury, he didn't play the last match. He had an issue with his neck. "Given how he performed against Bangladesh, he will come back into the playing XI. The rest of the team will be decided tomorrow (Thursday morning before toss)," he said. Gambhir underlined his coaching philosophy of putting more emphasis on wins even against all odds, as India staged a remarkable fightback in Bengaluru. "This is why we call cricket and sports as big levellers. If you enjoyed such days as we did in Kanpur, then you will have to accept such days as we did in Bangalore," he said. "But the good thing was that despite being all out for 46, we were still looking to win the Test, that was important. This is the way we want to play cricket. I have said before (also) that our first option will always be to win and the second option will be to draw." "There was no such intention in the second innings that we were looking to play out the next two-and-a-half days. We were thinking about how to make the match out of it and if you ask me, we were probably 100 runs away," he added. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? Gambhir said India showed the intent with which they want to play Test cricket in the opening match. "I don't think there will be many teams who will be thinking like this even after being shot out for 46, when you have to bat more than two-and-a-half days but this is the quality (we have) and this is the kind of cricket we want to play in the future," he said. Gambhir said batting to save a Test is not likely anymore since T20 cricket has made batters more aggressive. "To a certain extent, it's good because when I batted in Napier, the T20 format was just introduced," said India's 2007 T20 World Cup winner. "Now, with so much of T20 cricket around, you expect players to be more aggressive. The game has changed and we have to accept that as well. We will need a lot of temperament and a lot of mental toughness to bat for two or two-and-a-half days. "But again, if the decision of the leadership group or the team management is to just go there and still try to win the game, that is very important." "Had we decided to bat two-and-a-half days, the guys would have batted much differently. But the intention was always to make the game out of it, irrespective of where we are (and) how much behind we are in the game," he added. (With agency inputs)
23 October,2024 02:52 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentTwo years ago today, India's high-stakes T20 World Cup 2022 contest with arch-rivals Pakistan was laden with the drama, intensity, and fervour that such encounters typically promise, marking a contest that will resonate in the memories of fans for years to come. Stalwart Virat Kohli orchestrated an incredible comeback for India, leading them to a thrilling victory in a match fraught with tension. Chasing a target of 160 runs, India’s innings began in a dismal fashion, as Pakistan’s formidable pace attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, quickly reduced the Indian batting lineup to a precarious 31 for 4 within the first seven overs. Key players KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed early, leaving the Indian team in a daunting predicament. Matters worsened when Axar Patel was run out shortly thereafter, intensifying the pressure on the remaining batsmen. At this critical juncture, with Pakistan seemingly in control, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya took it upon themselves to engineer a rescue operation. 🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2022!📍 Melbourne Cricket Ground 🏟️Virat Kohli's iconic 82* in a roller coaster 🎢 encounter powered #TeamIndia to a memorable win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 👏🏻👏🏻@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/muMaJEG0vf — BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2024 "𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙙." 🫡#OnThisDay in 2022, when all the odds were stacked against us, King Kohli delivered a historic innings on the grandest stage against 🇵🇰, etching his name in cricket lore and making the 🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/jnKJkn3yxn — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 23, 2024 2 years ago 23 october The greatest T20I inning THE DAY WHEN VIRAT KOHLI OWNED AT MCG..!!🐐 pic.twitter.com/OiURKgFKrL — Ramvijay Yadav (@Ramvijay4046) October 23, 2024 #OTD: This is cinema 🤌Virat Kohli in God Mode 🔥pic.twitter.com/klj4UOdAaZ — The Cinéprism (@TheCineprism) October 23, 2024 From:"Dil Dil Pakistan"To:"Chak de India"The legend made it happen(82*).#ViratKohli #INDvsPAK2022pic.twitter.com/iWPdLxqmvo — Kuwar Prateek Singh (@PrateekRajwada) October 23, 2024 The duo showcased a masterclass in composure and strategy, deftly managing the mounting scoreboard pressure while curbing their natural aggressive instincts. Their partnership blossomed into a remarkable 113-run alliance, which not only steadied the ship but also reignited India’s hopes of victory. As the match approached its climax, India still required 48 runs from the final three overs, a task that appeared increasingly insurmountable. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 19th over, when Kohli unleashed his brilliance against Haris Rauf, launching two breathtaking sixes that swung the momentum back in India’s favour. The first was a stunning back-foot punch over long-on, and the second—a deft flick over fine-leg—sent the MCG crowd into raptures. Suddenly, the equation shifted, with India needing just 16 runs from the last six deliveries. Also Read: Will it be caution over ambition for India in Pune? As pressure mounted on Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz, the left-arm spinner, was assigned the daunting task of defending those 16 runs in the final over. The tension escalated further when Hardik Pandya was dismissed on the very first ball, amplifying the anxiety within the Indian camp. Kohli, undeterred, struck the fourth delivery—a waist-high no-ball—over the boundary for a spectacular six, keeping India’s hopes alive. Following this, the free-hit delivery allowed India to scramble for three byes, maintaining the momentum. The T20 World Cup 2022 match teetered precariously as Dinesh Karthik fell victim to a stumping, leaving India with just two runs required from the final two balls. Enter R. Ashwin, who displayed remarkable poise under pressure. He let a wide delivery pass before calmly chipping the last ball over mid-off, clinching an extraordinary victory for India. The MCG erupted in jubilation as Kohli finished unbeaten on 82 runs off 53 balls, etching his name into the annals of cricketing lore.
23 October,2024 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
India's home domination hit a rare roadblock after fine contributions from Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke took centre stage in New Zealand's eight-wicket win in the first Test at Bengaluru on Sunday, their maiden win on Indian soil after 36 years. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s assurance on India coming out stronger in the remaining two Tests remains credible given how India has, now and then, bounced back with vengeance after tasting defeat. A Test match loss at home is indeed a rare occurrence in Indian cricket. The defeat in Bengaluru has certainly sent ripples through the team management as they prepare for the upcoming second Test in Pune starting Thursday. With a sense of urgency that only a loss can induce, the management will be scrambling to recalibrate their approach. One cannot help but anticipate a change in the playing XI, and it seems almost unavoidable. India’s performance has taken a hit, and the Gahunje pitch in Pune is likely to present a different challenge compared to the Bengaluru surface. Enter the ‘Shubman Gill factor’. The 25-year-old top-order batter is expected to return fit and ready to make an impact. If the team continues with the combination of five batters, a wicketkeeper, and five specialist bowlers, someone’s head will inevitably roll, most likely that of KL Rahul. After Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive 150, the call for change grows even louder. This series was always bound to be layered, like an onion that brings tears to one’s eyes. India must keep a keen eye on the World Test Championship (WTC) table and the upcoming series against Australia while managing the workload of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Also Read: 'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad Sharma has already hinted at the need for caution with Pant, who, despite not keeping wickets in the first Test, contributed a vital 99 runs. The question looms: will the management take the risk of playing him in Pune? Adding another layer of intrigue is the inclusion of Washington Sundar, a left-handed batter and off-spinner, into the squad. However, his participation raises questions about whom he will replace: R. Ashwin, the seasoned off-spinner, or the left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav? This is particularly pressing if both Pant and Rahul find themselves on the sidelines. Sundar’s impressive Ranji Trophy performance (152 runs and 6/88 in both innings against Delhi) could provide the middle order with much-needed depth and flexibility. And let’s not forget Axar Patel, whose inclusion also needs consideration. Meanwhile, resting a match-winner like Yashasvi Jaiswal at this juncture would seem like throwing away a winning lottery ticket. Besides, the thought of giving Akash Deep a chance in place of the underwhelming Mohammed Siraj might appear desperate, yet it carries long-term benefits. With questions surrounding Mohammed Shami's availability for the tour Down Under, Akash Deep could gain invaluable experience by playing as a third pacer in Australia. Bumrah, fresh off the Bengaluru defeat, now finds himself in a position where he cannot be rested to give both Siraj and Akash game time together. And let's not forget that Pant’s impressive 99 came only after he received injections to numb the pain from his knee injury. While India waits with bated breath for Pant’s recovery, it’s worth noting that the BCCI's medical team is optimistic he will be ready to don the wicketkeeping gloves in Pune. But what if he doesn’t? What if the management, in their wisdom, decides to prioritise caution over ambition? Will they risk his fitness for the sake of a match that could either elevate them or further entrench them in mediocrity? “We have been carefully monitoring his injury. With an important series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) ahead of us, we cannot certainly take such things lightly. It is still not decided, but for the time being, let’s say that we want to keep him aside. He is a great batsman and an important part of the squad, the board is yet to take a decision,” a BCCI source told Mid-Day on Tuesday. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? The entire situation teeters on the edge of absurdity, where the stakes are monumental but the decisions feel precarious. So, as the team prepares for the second Test, one can only speculate how the changes will unfold. Will India play it safe and maintain the status quo, or will they gamble on fresh talent? As fans, we’re left to watch this drama unfold, hoping for brilliance but bracing for mediocrity. Each decision made in the lead-up to the Pune Test will echo far beyond the confines of the ground, potentially shaping the trajectory of Indian cricket in the near future.
23 October,2024 11:55 AM IST | Pune | Srijanee MajumdarFormer Mumbai head coaches Chandrakant Pandit and Pravin Amre reckon it will be tough for opener Prithvi Shaw, 24, to digest his omission from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team. Short-of-runs Shaw has been left out of the team that plays Tripura in Agartala in the Ranji Trophy. Pandit guided Mumbai when Shaw scored a match-winning 120 on his first-class debut (semi-final v Tamil Nadu at Rajkot in 2016-17). While Pandit wants Shaw to take his exclusion in the right spirit, the young batsman’s Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Amre feels it is a wake-up call. Chandrakant Pandit, Pravin Amre, Santosh Pingulkar “He [Shaw] is a talented cricketer. Mumbai legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Polly Umrigar, Vijay Manjrekar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ashok Mankad and Sandeep Patil have set a certain benchmark for city cricketers. Though players are doing well, other things matter a lot and it is necessary to tell Prithvi that. He should take it [omission] in the right spirit because he is playing for Mumbai, not another state team. I am sure he will take it well and fulfil the expectations,” Pandit, now head coach of Madhya Pradesh, told mid-day from Indore on Tuesday. The former India wicketkeeper-batsman wants every Mumbai cricketer to emulate Test batsman Ajinkya Rahane’s commitment while playing for Mumbai. “Look at his decorum, discipline and approach to play and lead Mumbai. He has showcased that commitment. There is no question mark on any cricketer’s talent or ability, whether it is Prithvi or any other player. But every cricketer should maintain the decorum of Mumbai cricket. I think every Mumbai cricketer aims for two things—to play for India and win the Ranji Trophy. Hence, every cricketer should give importance to their fitness and discipline,” Pandit added. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Amre was present at the MCA-BKC ground during the Mumbai versus Maharashtra Ranji Trophy game in which Shaw scored one and 39 not out. When asked what is wrong with Shaw, Amre said: “He has the skill, no doubt about it, but for consistency it is so important to have fitness first. Once your body is not there [right], you lose focus. They [Mumbai Cricket Association] know he is an important player and it is so vital to be disciplined, focussed and fit. “It’s tough [for Shaw to digest that he is not in the team], but this I think is a wake-up call because his body needs to be 100 per cent fit. It happened to him in IPL [198 in eight games for DC in 2024 IPL] too and this is what MCA also feels — that he has to take cricket seriously. He is just 24 and has a lot of cricket [left] in him so he should take this positively, go there and give some more time to his cricket,” Amre remarked. Also Read: From prodigal talent to fitness issues: Prithvi Shaw’s rise and falling apart Meanwhile, Shaw’s first coach — Virar-based Santosh Pingulkar — feels Shaw needs to work on his mental preparation. “The mental aspect is quite important. He needs to work a lot on mental preparation. He should be watchful when he is off the field. If he gets mentally fit, he will automatically become a disciplined cricketer. A few months ago, we discussed achieving fitness and focusing on the game, but I don’t think he thinks about it,” Pingulkar said.
23 October,2024 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureShreyas Iyer will miss Mumbai's third-round clash in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Tripura, to be played at Agartala's Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium from October 26-29, due to personal reasons. The right-handed batter has requested the Mumbai senior men's selection committee for some time off and his appeal has been accepted, a senior official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed to PTI on Wednesday. The 29-year-old has featured in each of the three domestic games for Mumbai this season, which includes the heavyweights' title win in the Irani Cup after 27 years. Iyer made 57 and 8 in the clash against the Rest of India side. Also Read: 'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission Iyer scored a match-winning 142 last week in the second-round Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Group A match against Maharashtra to help Mumbai record their first victory, post which the batter claimed that he was making steady progress in terms of his fitness. "It feels special, coming back after a very long time. Obviously, I was feeling a bit down with my injuries, but now, getting a century after a very long time, it's a great feeling overall," Iyer told reporters last Sunday after his first ton in the Ranji Trophy season this year. "I am absolutely keen for a comeback, but as we say, control the controllables, and my job is to keep performing, and keep participating as much as possible and also see to it that my body is in best shape. "Absolutely (the drive is still to play Tests). That's why I've been playing. I mean, or else I would have given a reason and sat out," he added. Iyer had to deal with a back-related trouble for a significant part of 2023 and was even left out of BCCI's list of centrally contracted players. The batter had featured in the Ranji Trophy semifinal and final, helping Mumbai win the trophy for a record-extending 43rd time last season. (With agency inputs)
23 October,2024 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt will be a trial by fire for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur as India begin preparations for next year's World Cup with the three-match IND-W vs NZ-W ODI series starting on Thursday, having recently endured another failure at claiming an ICC title. The IND-W vs NZ-W ODI series will be vital for Kaur who has faced flak for her captaincy during the recently-held T20 World Cup in the UAE, where India failed to clear the group stage even though the skipper emerged as the team's highest scorer in the tournament. While India look to get their act right after the forgettable outing in the UAE, New Zealand will be on a high having lifted the T20 World Cup trophy with a clinical performance throughout the tournament, barring their group game against Australia. Kaur, 35, retained her place as captain despite questions about her leadership in recent times, and in the series against New Zealand, she will have to manage without the services of big-hitting wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who is due to appear in her 12th standard board exams. The skipper was criticised for her actions in the final over of the group match against Australia in UAE, with experts and fans questioning her decision to take a single on the first delivery of the last over, leaving it to Shreyanka Patil to hit two consecutive sixes. Experienced all-rounder Asha Sobhana will also miss out as she nurses an injury and was unavailable for selection, while seamer Pooja Vastrakar, who injured herself during the tournament in UAE, has been rested for this series. Also Read: Team India leadership shake-up? Kaur’s captaincy in peril The squad comprises a few uncapped players as there were maiden call-ups for Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor and Priya Mishra. There will be a lot of expectations from the opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana with the duo only managing to succeed in patches in the T20 showpiece. It is important from India's point of view that the elegant Mandhana and the swashbuckling Shafali fire at the top of the order and set the tone. Like always, the onus will be on Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues to helm the middle-order but India will miss Ghosh's ability to hit fours and sixes at will. With Harmanpreet going through a rough patch as far as captaincy is concerned, her deputy Mandhana will be expected to help the skipper with her inputs. All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Teams (from): India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil. New Zealand Women: Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wicketkeeper), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wicketkeeper), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu. Match starts at 1.30 pm IST.
23 October,2024 10:45 AM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentAmelia Kerr's outstanding campaign for champions New Zealand saw her named the Aramco Player of the Tournament. And the leading wicket-taker at the tournament has jumped up to sixth in the ICC T20I Bowling Rankings. The astonishing Kerr is also 15th in the Batting Rankings, and trails only West Indies captain Hayley Matthews in the All-Rounders Rankings. New Zealand's other major wicket-takers at the T20 World Cup have also moved up the standings, with Eden Carson closing in on the top 10, up to 12th, and Rosemary Mair climbing 10 spots to 27th. Mair's impressive run in the UAE earned her a spot in the ICC Team of the Tournament. Elsewhere among the bowlers, Australia's Annabel Sutherland is up into the top 10 with her highest rating to date, moving up to eighth, above teammate Ash Gardner. England's Sophie Ecclestone retains the top spot. Other stars of the Women's T20 World Cup have also made significant gains in the Batting Rankings. South Africa's Anneke Bosch, who stunned Australia in the semi-final, is up seven spots to 13th, while veteran Suzie Bates has leapfrogged Alyssa Healy into sixth in the only change in the top 10. Deandra Dottin's extraordinary return to international cricket with West Indies has seen her climb 36 places, but she remains lower down the standings due to her extended absence from the game. Also Read: 'The best weekend for NZ sport ever?': New Zealand basks in 'golden 48 hours' after sporting triumphs New Zealand's Brooke Halliday (up 21 spots) and West Indies pinch-hitter Qiana Joseph (up 46) have also seen sizeable climbs due to their fast-scoring contributions in the UAE. Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath and Laura Wolvaardt remain the top three batters. Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana has reached a career-best rating in the T20 All-Rounders Rankings, moving up two spots to 11th following her impressive performances in the tournament. There is no movement in the top 10 of the All-Rounders Rankings, with Matthews, Kerr and Gardner the top three. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 09:58 AM IST | Dubai | ANINew Zealand Cricket (NZC) named Mitchell Santner as the interim captain for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. NZC confirmed that a new long-term ODI and T20I captain will be announced in the summer. The experienced spinner will lead a 15-man squad, which includes uncapped bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay. In March, Smith was recently crowned the NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards. He went on to earn his first central contract last month. While featuring for Wellington last season, Smith scythed 24 scalps across all domestic white-ball competitions, including his career-best figures of 4/5 against Otago in the Super Smash. Hay made his debut for New Zealand A last year and was adjudged Canterbury's Male Player of the Year back in April. The batting department will feature Glenn Phillips, Will Young and Henry Nicholls. The trio will provide batting reinforcements, with Nicholls slamming an impressive campaign in the Ford Trophy last summer. He garnered 301 runs in six matches at 75.25. Tim Robinson received his second call-up after starring in his maiden international Pakistan tour in April. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? Michael Bracewell and Phillips will form a formidable spin-bowling all-rounder setup in the squad. The pace bowling lineup will be spearheaded by Lockie Ferguson, featuring Smith, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Josh Clarkson. Six players, who are featuring in New Zealand's ongoing Test series against India, have been included in the team. Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson have not been considered for selection as they have decided to prioritise the three Tests against England. The series will kick off in Christchurch on November 28. "This [Sri Lanka] tour is the beginning of the build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, and we also have an eye towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Building depth is of critical importance due to the demands of the international schedule and the need to peak for pinnacle events. For that reason, it's particularly exciting to include a number of players that we believe represent the future of the Blackcaps," chief selector Sam Wells said, as quoted from a statement by NZC. The white-ball series will begin with two T20Is on November 9 and 10 in Dambulla. The three-match ODI series will be played on November 13, 17 and 19. The opening ODI will be played in Dambulla, while the final two ODIs will take place in Pallekelle. New Zealand's T20I and ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 08:45 AM IST | Wellington | ANIKane Williamson has, in an oblique way, prevented New Zealand from grappling with a problem of plenty, but India find themselves with a tricky decision to make going into the second Test at the MCA International Stadium from Thursday. The former Kiwi skipper, who missed the eight-wicket win in Bangalore due to a groin strain, hasn’t made enough progress to link up with his colleagues yet, and will now at best be available only for the final Test, starting in Mumbai next week. India, on the other hand, have a full complement of 16 to choose from, Shubman Gill having recovered from the stiff neck that forced him to miss the first Test. Shubman Gill returns Gill will walk back into the side at No. 3, a position he has occupied since the tour of the Caribbean last year, while KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are vying for the remaining batting slot at No. 6. Since moving to the middle order in South Africa last December, Rahul has hardly put a foot wrong in his six appearances — he missed the last four Tests against England at home earlier this year with a hamstring injury — but two low scores in Bangalore coupled with Sarfaraz’s stunning 150 in the second innings mean Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have a difficult call to make. Since taking over as head coach in July, Gambhir has emphasised more than once that his philosophy revolves around not leaving anyone out, but selecting the best possible XI for every game. That will be scant consolation to whichever of Rahul or Sarfaraz misses out. Also Read: 'No point sugarcoating, there's fight for spot between Rahul and Sarfaraz': Ryan Rahul’s first outing in his second avatar in the middle order produced a stunning century in Centurion in December and he backed it up with half-centuries in Hyderabad against England in January and in Kanpur against Bangladesh last month. Sarfaraz has done everything and more than has been asked of him since his debut against England in Rahul’s absence. In four Tests, he has three half-centuries to go with his monumental hundred in the previous game. Those plumping for Sarfaraz will point out that after 53 Tests, Rahul averages only 33.87, and while statistics can’t be argued against, that will definitely not be the deciding factor when the think-tank deliberates long and hard on the Rahul v Sarfaraz conundrum. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Sarfaraz’s birthday break While Rahul was among the 15 that took full part in the afternoon nets at the MCA Stadium on Tuesday, Sarfaraz celebrated his 27th birthday with his wife and new-born baby boy after becoming a first-time father on Monday. He will be back at training on Wednesday. KL Rahul in his last 4 Tests12, 0, DNB, 68, 22*, 12, 22, 86 Sarfaraz in his last 4 Tests150, 0, 56, 0, 14, 68*, 62
23 October,2024 07:11 AM IST | Pune | R KaushikDilip Vengsarkar Academy at Mahul, Chembur, will conduct selection trials for boys in the 13 to 19 age group. Also Read: 'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission Those born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2012 can join the trials from 3 pm to 6pm on October 23. Youngsters should attend the trials in full kit, cricketing whites and have their birth certificate with them. For more details, contact Amit Jadhav on 8655337885/ 7021147475.
23 October,2024 06:28 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAustralian 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.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. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 06:24 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIADVERTISEMENT
