India pacer Mohammed Shami, who made a splendid return to competitive cricket with Ranji Trophy, was on Monday named in Bengal's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning on Saturday. As reported by PTI earlier, Shami's inclusion in the Bengal T20 squad is part of a fitness assessment ahead of a potential return to India's team for the latter half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy five-Test series beginning in Perth on Friday. Playing his first competitive match after a year, the 34-year-old, who underwent a surgery for Achilles tendon injury on his left leg, claimed a match haul of seven wickets and also excelled with the bat against Madhya Pradesh to help Bengal secure their first win of the season. BCCI medical team and national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive games in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to check if his body is holding up after multiple games even if it's a white ball format tournament, as per sources. Also Read: Pujara takes fans by surprise with unexpected new role in Border-Gavaskar Trophy Talented batsman Sudip Kumar Gharami was named Bengal captain. Bengal will begin their campaign against Punjab in their Group A match in Rajkot. Hyderabad, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab are the other teams in Group A. The final is slated in Bengaluru on December 15. Squad Sudip Kumar Gharami (C), Abishek Porel (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Shahbaz Ahmed, Karan Lal, Writtick Chatterjee, Ritwick Roy Chowdhury, Shakir Habib Gandhi (wk), Ranjot Singh Khaira, Prayas Ray Barman, Agniv Pan (wk), Pradipta Pramanik, Saksham Chaudhary, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Porel, Mohammed Kaif, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Sayan Ghosh, Kanishk Seth and Soummyadip Mandal. 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
18 November,2024 09:36 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said he is yet to get a response from the ICC over BCCI's refusal to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Earlier this month, the BCCI made it clear to the ICC that it won't send the national team to Pakistan and wants its games to be held in a third country. PCB has rejected the hybrid model and has sought clarity from the ICC on why India doesn't want to travel to Pakistan. India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The ICC event is scheduled in February-March. "If India has any concerns about sending their team to Pakistan they must talk to us and we will remove them. I don't think there is any reason for India not to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy," Naqvi told reporters. Naqvi, who is also the federal interior minister, confirmed the PCB had sent a letter to the ICC on the BCCI's decision to not send its team to Pakistan. "We are directly interacting with the ICC and we are still waiting for a response from them so we can take things forward," he said. Asked if the matter will be complicated further after Jay Shah takes over as ICC chairman on December 1, Naqvi said: "Things don't work like this, every board is independent and has its own say and I think the ICC must also think about its credibility as it represents all cricket boards of the world." Also Read: ICC orders PCB to scrap Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: Report Naqvi sidestepped questions about Muzaffarabad, located in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, being removed from the Champions 'Trophy Tour' and also about whether Pakistan would accept the hybrid model for the tournament. The BCCI had raised strong objections to the 'Trophy Tour' being staged in the disputed territory. "I am here to talk about the construction work progress and we are waiting for the ICC to respond to us as they also have to announce the schedule." Talking about the renovation work for the Champions Trophy, he said the construction is progressing on schedule. "We are ahead of our deadline to complete construction and finishing at all three stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi." (With agency inputs)
18 November,2024 08:50 PM IST | Lahore | mid-day online correspondentThe excitement is palpable ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia, set to begin on November 22, as both nations prepare for a thrilling contest that has long been a centerpiece of the international Test cricket calendar. Adding a unique twist to this year’s series is the return of India’s stalwart Test batter, Cheteshwar Pujara.q While Pujara’s name may not feature on the playing XI, he will be making a significant contribution in a different capacity—joining the Star Sports commentary panel for the series. Having been dropped from the Indian squad for the series, Pujara’s return to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy comes in an unexpected yet impactful role. As a seasoned veteran of over 100 Test matches, Pujara brings a wealth of experience and cricketing acumen to the table. Known for his rock-solid technique and unflappable temperament at the crease, Pujara will offer invaluable insights and expert analysis as part of the Hindi commentary panel. His deep understanding of the game, coupled with his knowledge of the pressures and nuances of a high-stakes series like the Border-Gavaskar, promises to enhance the viewing experience for fans tuning in from across the country. Also Read: Gavaskar believes 'hungry' Virat will feast on Australian records Pujara’s record in Indian Test cricket speaks volumes. With over 7,195 runs and 19 centuries to his name, including a career-high score of 206, Pujara has been a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup for more than a decade. His patient and meticulous approach to batting has made him one of the most reliable performers in Indian cricket history, particularly in challenging overseas conditions. As the series unfolds, his presence in the commentary box will offer a unique perspective from one of the game’s most respected and accomplished players. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will feature five gripping Test matches, beginning on November 22 with the first Test at the iconic Optus Stadium in Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at the Adelaide Oval, will bring an added element of excitement with the introduction of the day-night format. The thrilling atmosphere under the stadium’s lights is expected to add a new dimension to this already intense rivalry. From there, the action moves to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, running from December 14-18. This will be followed by the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30, a fixture that is always a highlight of the Australian summer. The final Test will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7, where both teams will look to end the series on a high note, with the series climax promising a thrilling conclusion. India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy features a blend of experience and youth, with captain Rohit Sharma leading the team alongside vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. Key players like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin will be crucial to India’s chances, while rising talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal add dynamism to the side. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj are also integral members of the squad. For Australia, the Test squad is captained by Pat Cummins, with experienced players such as Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, and Usman Khawaja playing pivotal roles. New faces like Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne will add depth and flair to the lineup, while the pace attack, featuring Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, will provide the firepower needed to challenge India’s formidable batting lineup. (With agency inputs)
18 November,2024 05:49 PM IST | Perth | mid-day online correspondentVirat Kohli will be 'very, very hungry' for runs following his lean patch against New Zealand, according to former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who feels the veteran batter's strong track record Down Under will boost his confidence heading into the upcoming Test series against Australia. Kohli has faced a challenging patch in all formats over the past few months. In his last 60 Test innings, he has managed just two centuries and 11 half-centuries. This year, he has averaged only 22.72 across six Tests, and in the three games against New Zealand, he could manage only 93 runs. "Because he hasn't scored runs against New Zealand, he'll be very, very hungry," Gavaskar told Star Sports. "Even in that Adelaide Test, where India was bowled out for 36 in the second innings, Kohli scored 70-plus runs in the first innings before being run out," he added. Despite these recent struggles, Kohli has an outstanding record in Australia. The right-hander, who has been part of four tours Down Under, averages a stellar 54.08. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly feels this player is next-best red-ball batter after Kohli Gavaskar believes these stats will provide a significant confidence boost as Kohli prepares for the upcoming five-match series, starting with the first Test in Perth on Friday. "He has consistently performed in Adelaide, a ground he knows well. Before Adelaide, it's Perth, where Kohli played one of his finest Test centuries in the 2018-19 series, a terrific hundred. "Having performed on these grounds, he'll feel an extra bit of confidence. Of course, you need a bit of luck at the start, but if he gets off to a good beginning, he will score big runs," Gavaskar added. As the series approaches, all eyes will be on Kohli, who will look to bounce back with his trademark resilience and continue his fine record in Australia. Kohli knows what's coming: Manjrekar Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar also weighed in on how Australia might target Kohli. "I think Virat knows exactly what's coming," Manjrekar said. "They'll start with a line outside the off stump to assess his mindset. These days, he often leaves balls outside off and looks to drive anything pitched up. Australia may try to cramp him for room and attack his body, especially since he likes to get forward. New Zealand used this tactic effectively." Manjrekar continued, "If he's focused on balls outside off stump, bowlers like Josh Hazlewood could target the middle-stump line, much like Vernon Philander used to do. Australia will experiment with different strategies, and Virat Kohli is well aware of that." (With agency inputs)
18 November,2024 03:56 PM IST | Perth | mid-day online correspondentTeam India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, expressed satisfaction with the team's preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. In a recent video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Morkel praised the bowlers' performance during the training sessions. "Very happy with how the bowlers went. They summed up conditions very well. We are on track for the 22nd (November)," Morkel said. Morkel also mentioned that the team is willing to put in more training sessions before the series opener, indicating the team's dedication to thorough preparation. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly feels this player is next-best red-ball batter after Kohli "Another three training sessions left. We'll sit down this afternoon or tomorrow and start planning, looking at game plans and how we are going to bring out the best in each and everyone for game time on the 22nd," Morkel revealed. As Team India gears up for the challenging series, the focused training and strategic planning aim to ensure that the players are fully prepared to face the formidable Australian side. After the series opener in Perth on November 22, the second Test, featuring the day-night format, will take place under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18. The traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the series' penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exciting climax to a highly anticipated series. India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar. 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.
18 November,2024 02:48 PM IST | Perth | ANIFormer Team India captain Sourav Ganguly names Rishabh Pant as the next-best red-ball batsman after stalwart Virat Kohli and feels the left-hander could have a huge impact in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In a few days, Team India will lock horns with Australia in order to pin their hopes to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With some of the Indian stars finding their form, the focus will be on Rishabh Pant who holds an impeccable record against Australia. Rishabh Pant's aggression which comes with risks has allowed him to thrive against Australia as well. His fearlessness in 2021, on the final day of the fourth Test, led in Brisbane to the famous "Toota Hai Gabba Ka Ghamand." Also Read: "He is a champion batter": Former Team India players hails Virat Kohli Sourav Ganguly, who has closely worked with Pant during their time in Delhi Capitals in IPL, believes that the "generational talent" will have his say during the five Tests. "His special ability. He still needs to evolve and figure out his game in white-ball cricket. But in red ball, he is just fantastic. Look at the innings he has played in England, Australia and South Africa, and you will know, he is a generational talent in red-ball cricket. He is India's next-best red-ball batter after Kohli and could have a huge impact in the series," Sourav Ganguly said while speaking to Revsportz. Pant showed his knack for scoring runs in the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand earlier this year. While displaying his terrific form, Pant racked up 422 runs from five matches at an average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 86.47. The best of Pant came when India was down on the ground during the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. He opened his arms and raised hopes with a scintillating 99, with Sarfaraz Khan providing the perfect company on the other end. India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar. Australia squad for the first Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc. (With ANI Inputs)
18 November,2024 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer Team India captain Sourav Ganguly backed stalwart Virat Kohli to deliver in Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in between his lean patches. Expectations are high from Virat Kohli as his poor run remains the talk of the town during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The worrying signs have been silently hiding in the shadows since 2020. The 'Chase Master' has faced an elongated lean patch in the longest format of cricket. In the last four years, Virat Kohli has been able to score 1,828 runs from 34 Test matches with an average of 31.68. It includes two centuries and nine half-centuries. Former Australia stars have banked on Virat's form to be the decisive moment of the series, which is being tipped in Australia's favour. Considering Australia's conditions coming to Virat's rescue in the past, Ganguly expects the flamboyant batter to deliver for India in one of the challenging Test series. Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Team India's heroes from the previous edition "Absolutely, he is a champion batter. He has had success in Australia in the past. He scored four centuries in 2014 and scored a hundred in 2018 as well. He will want to make this series count, and he will also know this could be the last time he is touring Australia to play Test cricket," Ganguly said while speaking to Boria Majumdar on Revsportz. Virat's Kohli love story with Australian conditions has come to silence Virat's critics twice, in 2012 and 2014. After a concerning West Indies tour in 2011, where he averaged a mere 15.20 after scoring a paltry 76 runs in five innings, his future looked bleak. He looked all set to be dropped from Tests after his first two Tests in Australia went downhill. But he stored his best in the next two Tests, scoring 44 and 75 in Perth. Virat finally delivered in Adelaide with his maiden Test century, a classic 116 in 213 balls laced with his trademark strokes and swagger, which revived his career. 2014 was a similar story, with Virat finding his groove in a series that was nothing short of a fairytale after a string of bleak performances. With questions being raised over his future yet again, the series is massive in terms of making or breaking his career. With his past form not raising much inspiration, Ganguly feels Virat will enjoy conditions in Australia and expects him to deliver against competitive opposition. "So, in every sense, this is a massive series for Kohli. I don't want to read too much into the New Zealand series. The pitches did not allow good batting. In Australia, he will enjoy the conditions. There will be good pitches. I am backing Virat to deliver in Australia in this series," he added. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's first match, Virat Kohli has prepared himself in full swing. There are concerns about his fitness as the Australian media reported that the star Indian batsman has gone for scans. But during last Friday's intra-squad match simulation, Virat didn't appear to be in discomfort. He executed his trademark cover drive. However, on 15, he edged a Mukesh Kumar delivery to the second slip. He later spent about 30 minutes in the nets. During his second outing, Virat faced a barrage of short deliveries from Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Reddy. He seemed troubled by a few balls but showed no signs of discomfort, batting for an hour to finish on 30. (With ANI Inputs)
18 November,2024 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo senior Indian cricket teams were out of the country till Friday—the Test side in Australia for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and the T20 squad in South Africa, where the visitors ended their four-match series with a 3-1 victory. Two teams on India duty doesn’t sit well with 1983 World Cup-winning vice-captain Mohinder Amarnath. “When it comes to India, you can only have one team. You can call it [the other side] an A team, that is fine. But it cannot be that two Indian teams are playing in two different places. Also Read: Rafael Nadal to skip Davis Cup singles if he does not feel good “All these youngsters, those who are performing, they could get ignored once the established players come back,” said Mohinder at the Mumbai LitFest while chatting with host Hrishi K during the preview of the book, Fearless which the former India player has written with his younger brother Rajender. Mohinder also revealed that he can never understand players taking rest. “Whatever they are today is because of the club they have played for and the state they have represented. This made them cricketers. But top cricketers don’t represent their state. They don’t play because they feel they are tired. How is this possible? If you are tired, why don’t you stay at home? “I can’t digest this. Whatever they are, they are recognised because they are representing their country and they don’t play domestic cricket,” remarked Mohinder at the NCPA.
18 November,2024 11:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Clayton MurzelloFormer Team India captain Kapil Dev opened up on the Champions Trophy 2025 venues and the possibility of an India-Pakistan match by saying that it is the responsibility of the government. Commenting on the issue, Kapil Dev remarked, "It's the government's responsibility. People like us should not give opinions, our opinions don't matter. Kapil Dev can't be bigger than anyone else." Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday announced a global Trophy Tour ahead of the Men's Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan. The announcement came after the ICC cancelled the trophy tour in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opposed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) plan to hold the Champions Trophy 2025 tour in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) such as Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad. Also Read: ‘India hurt, want to prove a point’ BCCI sources told ANI that Secretary Jay Shah swiftly condemned the PCB's decision, urging the ICC to take strong action. The PCB announced the tour without prior consultation, sparking the BCCI's strong objection. ICC then put on hold the tour and released a new roster where the PoJK cities were not included for the tour. The popular landmarks where the trophy will be displayed on the opening day of its tour in Islamabad are Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument where it will be accompanied by former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar. This will flag off the international Trophy Tour for the silverware, which will provide special engagement for global fans through dynamic, colourful engagements that speak to the event's new-look visual identity. After Islamabad, the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour will head to Pakistan's iconic cities and venues such as Karachi, Abbottabad and Taxila before leaving the country. "A series of physical and digital engagements traversing iconic destinations, sporting events, and key battles in the international cricket calendar form the Trophy Tour schedule," ICC said in its statement."Fans will be treated to a content series titled 'Champion on Tour' that will document the Trophy Tour's journey around the world through the unique lens of food, music, and cricket," the statement added. Anurag Dahiya, ICC Chief Commercial Officer, expressed his pleasure at the launch of the event and said as quoted from ICC, "We are delighted to launch the Trophy Tour with DP World ahead of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, where another action-packed programme of activity is available to fans across the world." He went on to describe the experience that awaited fans and added, "The silverware, which will be showcased across all participating nations, will allow the sport's passionate fanbase to enjoy the unforgettable experience of being up close with the iconic trophy." (With ANI Inputs)
18 November,2024 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShreyas Iyer has been named Mumbai’s captain for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while Prithvi Shaw returned to the 17-member squad, the Mumbai Cricket Association announced on Sunday. Also Read: "That’s key for me": Steve Smith opens up on his plans against this Indian bowler The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is scheduled to be played from November 23 to December 15. Ajinkya Rahane, who led Mumbai in the first half of the Ranji Trophy season was also named in the squad. Shaw was previously sidelined due to fitness and disciplinary issues. Mumbai T20 squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Sairaj Patil, Hardik Tamore (wk), Aakash Anand (wk), Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Tanush Kotian, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Royston Dias, Juned Khan 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
18 November,2024 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAustralian batting talisman Steve Smith wants to adopt a proactive approach against Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy to avoid his struggles against the Indian spinner. Also Read: ‘India hurt, want to prove a point’ Ashwin had nicked off Smith thrice during that [2020-21 series] rubber, and later in 2023 the Indian off-spinner dismissed the Aussie twice as he could only make 22 runs against his old foe. “I don’t like getting out to off-spin in Australia. But he’s also a very good bowler and he came in with some decent plans. There were a couple of occasions where he got on top of me,” Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald. “But then I got on top of him at the SCG when I was a bit more proactive [Smith made 131 and 81 at Sydney]. So, that’s key for me. Just be proactive against him and not let him settle and bowl the way he wants to,” 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
18 November,2024 07:27 AM IST | Melbourne | PTIADVERTISEMENT
