In a stunning display of batting, Rishabh Pant has solidified his status as one of the best wicketkeepers in Australia with a total of 661 runs in 13 innings and an average of 60.09. His performance in the first Test against Australia in Perth, where he was the second highest run-scorer for India with 37 runs, helped him surpass England's Alan Knott as the highest run-getter among visiting wicketkeepers in Australia. With this accomplishment, Pant also became the third highest run-getter for India in the World Test Championships, trailing behind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Despite an impressive show from debutants Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy in the first Test against Australia, India's selection choices and batting failures have been called into question. Reddy's aggressive batting against proven off-spinner Nathan Lyon added some excitement to the otherwise lackluster Indian innings. However, it was Rana's disciplined bowling that showed promise for the team's future, even without the comfort of a lead. With familiar issues still plaguing the team, all eyes are on their next moves in the series.
Lakshmipathy Balaji, the former Indian pacer, has expressed his confidence in Jasprit Bumrah's leadership abilities as he takes on the role of stand-in captain in the first Test against Australia. Balaji believes that Bumrah has all the qualities required to be a successful Test captain and has given the example of former Pakistani captain Imran Khan, who led his team to their first and only World Cup victory while also spearheading their pace attack. Bumrah has previously captained India in four matches, across formats, and will look to make a mark in this important tour.
Jasprit Bumrah led the charge for India as they fought back against Australia on the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah's wife, Sanjana Ganesan, lauded his performance in a unique way on social media. After being bowled out for 150, Bumrah's impressive spell of 4/17 helped India leave Australia rattled. The debutant Nitish Reddy and Rishabh Pant's contributions helped India reach 150, with Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins, and Marsh sharing the wickets. Bumrah's second spell proved crucial as he claimed the wickets of Cummins and Labuschagne, while Siraj also contributed by taking the wicket of Mitchell Marsh.
Cricket Australia has announced a series of tributes to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. The late cricketer will be honored during the upcoming India vs. Australia Test and three Sheffield Shield games, with players wearing black armbands and flags flying at half-mast. CA CEO Nick Hockley stated that they wanted to celebrate Hughes' life and achievements in an appropriate manner, and the home association will also broadcast a special documentary in his honor. Remembered as a promising player, Hughes' untimely death left a void in the Australian cricket community.
As India's Test coach, Gautam Gambhir faces a crucial test in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, as his position could be at risk if the team fails to perform well. There have been reports that the BCCI is considering making a change in the coaching position if India disappoints once again. Gambhir has recently faced criticism for Team India's poor performance in Tests against New Zealand and there have been discussions about potential replacements, including VVS Laxman. These issues were discussed in a 6-hour long meeting between Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, and Rohit Sharma. However, the presence of disagreements between Gambhir and the team's think-tank raises concerns ahead of the crucial Test series.
Mohammed Siraj's impressive performance in the Australia vs India Test match not only helped the team gain a lead of 83 runs, but also catapulted his career to new heights. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Hyderabad has established himself in the international arena with his debut in 2018 and subsequent participation in the Indian Premier League. As per the recent BCCI annual retainership, Siraj is now a Grade A cricketer earning a salary of Rs. 5 crore, in addition to his IPL salary of Rs. 7 crore. With the recent T20 World Cup victory in 2024, Siraj and other team members are also set to receive a cash prize of INR 125 crore.
During the first day of the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, tensions heated up between Indian pacer Harshit Rana and Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. After being hit by Rana, Labuschagne reacted by blowing a flying kiss, stirring up memories of Rana's similar celebration in the 2024 IPL. However, Rana's performance proved to be a highlight of the day as he picked up his maiden Test wicket and contributed to dismissing Australia for 150 runs.
India's star batsman, Virat Kohli, is gearing up to take part in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has the chance to surpass former Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid, for the most Test runs against Australia. With just 124 runs away, Kohli could break Dravid's record of 2166 runs in 33 matches and 66 innings. Currently, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs against Australia in Tests, with VVS Laxman closely behind him at second place.
In a fiery display of fast bowling, the Indian seamers led by captain Jasprit Bumrah decimated the Australian batting line-up on the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. After being bowled out for just 150 runs in their first innings, India came back strong with a relentless bowling attack that saw Australia lose their top five wickets for a meager 38 runs. With an 83-run lead, India will look to continue their dominant performance on Day 2 against a struggling Australian side.