As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to announce the team for the upcoming Australia series, all eyes are on veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. With his impressive record against Australia in the last two tours, Pujara's experience could prove crucial for India's success. Meanwhile, selectors must also decide whether to give younger players a chance or stick with Pujara's proven abilities. Despite not featuring for India since the World Test Championship final, Pujara has continued to score runs, with his most recent appearance in the Ranji Trophy showcasing his skill and determination. With India facing challenges in the fast bowling department, the inclusion of players like Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal is also being considered. Mohammed Shami, who is crucial for India's bowling attack, might not be able to fully recover in time for the first matches of the series.
As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gears up to announce the squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia, the spotlight falls on veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. His impressive track record against Australia in recent tours has sparked debates about his inclusion in the team, while the presence of promising young players adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
Pujara has been a mainstay of India's Test batting lineup for over a decade, renowned for his gritty defense and exceptional ability to bat for long periods. In the last two tours to Australia, he emerged as a pivotal figure, amassing a total of 835 runs at an average of 59.64. His innings in Sydney and Adelaide in 2018-19 were particularly memorable, as he anchored India's batting and played a crucial role in securing a historic series win.
Despite his proven abilities, Pujara's recent form has been a cause for concern. Since the World Test Championship final in June 2021, he has not played for the Indian team. However, his recent performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored 208 runs in two innings, showcased his resilience and determination.
The selectors face a dilemma: should they stick with Pujara's experience and proven abilities, or should they give younger players a chance? The likes of Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari have been knocking on the door of the Test team, and their inclusion could bring fresh energy and a different approach to the batting lineup.
In addition to the batting conundrum, India also faces challenges in the fast bowling department. Mohammed Shami, a key cog in the bowling attack, may not fully recover in time for the first matches of the series. This has led to speculation that uncapped players like Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal could be brought into the squad.
1. What is Cheteshwar Pujara's batting average against Australia? A: Pujara's batting average against Australia in the last two tours is 59.64.
2. Has Pujara played for India since the World Test Championship final? A: No, Pujara has not featured for India since the World Test Championship final in June 2021.
3. Who are some of the young players being considered for the squad? A: Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal are among the young players being considered for the squad.
4. Is Mohammed Shami expected to be fit for the first matches of the series? A: Mohammed Shami's availability for the first matches of the series is uncertain due to an injury.
5. Who is likely to captain India in Australia? A: Rohit Sharma is expected to captain India in the Test series against Australia.
In his Test debut against Australia, Yashasvi Jaiswal showed commendable strength and confidence as he held his own against fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Despite being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal came back stronger in the second innings, helping India establish a lead with a half-century and a century partnership with KL Rahul. With his sights set on becoming the future of Indian Test cricket, Jaiswal is proving that he can perform under pressure on the international stage.
After a disappointing loss to Real Sociedad, Barcelona returns to LaLiga action against Celta Vigo, who have been struggling in the bottom half of the standings. Despite their defeat, Barcelona remains the league leaders and will be determined to continue their dominant run. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo will be looking for an upset against the top team.
Despite the fierce competition between the two nations, the camaraderie between Indian debutant Harshit Rana and Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc during the Perth Test was a heartwarming moment. Starc's friendly jibe to Rana about his bowling speed brought a smile to the latter's face, highlighting the bond they formed while playing together for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. While Starc played a crucial role in KKR's title win with his impressive spells, Rana contributed to the team's success with 19 wickets. Their friendly banter on the field shows the growing camaraderie between players from different countries, breaking traditional rivalries.
With a blazing performance on Day 2, Indian cricket team's captain Jasprit Bumrah led the dismantling of Australia in the first innings of their test match. The fifth Indian player to take a five-wicket haul as a captain, Bumrah dominated the lower-order, including star batter Alex Carey, who was expected to revive his team's chances. A resilient stand between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood helped Australia avoid a complete collapse, but it couldn't stop Bumrah from securing a lead and victory for India.
India's captain, Virat Kohli, takes the reins in a fiery team huddle only 45 minutes before the second day of play. While Australia puts up a tough fight on the final day, the efforts of Jasprit Bumrah, who secures five-wicket haul, and Harshit Rana, who produces a nasty lifter, lead India to a victory with a 46-run lead. And, to top it off, Bumrah's delivery proves too much for Aussie batsman Mitchell Starc to handle, creating a potential viral-X moment on the field.
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah made history by picking his second consecutive fifer in Australia during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. The 24-year-old broke the record for most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a Test match in Australia, surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev. Bumrah dismissed Alex Carey in just his first ball on Day 2 to achieve this feat, helping India gain the upper hand in the match.
In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, Jasprit Bumrah proved his expertise as a fast bowler by picking up 5 wickets. Despite leading the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Bumrah's consistent performance has made him the first Indian pacer to take 50 wickets in a single edition of the World Test Championship. He also leads the 2024 wicket-taker list for India with 61 wickets in 18 matches.
In a dramatic first day of the Test match between India and Australia in Perth, India took control of the game by bowling out the hosts for just 67 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the star of the day, taking four crucial wickets in the final session to put India in a strong position. Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey managed to salvage some hope for Australia, but with the dominant bowling performance by India, the hosts are facing an uphill battle. This match also raised questions about Virat Kohli's form, as the star batsman failed to produce a high-score once again.
The first day of the India vs Australia Test match at Perth was a rollercoaster ride, with 17 wickets falling and Australia reeling at 67 for 7 at stumps. The star of the day was Jasprit Bumrah who ripped apart the Australian top-order with four wickets, making it one of the worst starts for the hosts at home this century. With India's lowest Test score at home at 85 against South Africa in 2016, Bumrah's pacy unit will be aiming to create history on Day 2. The rest of the series and even Saturday's match is now up in the air, making it a thrilling and unpredictable game for both teams.
In this interview, Desert Vipers' Luke Wood, who has played in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians, talks about the ongoing debate on the best Test batter in the modern era. While acknowledging the greatness of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as multi-format players, Wood believes that Joe Root's consistent performance in the Test format makes him the best. He also shares his experience of playing in the IPL and how the Twenty20 format presents a unique challenge for bowlers.