Dashing Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has appreciated Royal Challengers Benagluru's effort to reach out to him and explain the reasons behind not retaining him ahead of this month's IPL 2025 mega auction, terming his exit from the franchise as a "beautiful" one. RCB has retained only three Indian players -- Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal and Rajat Patidar. Maxwell joined RCB in 2021, and played a key role in the middle-order in the past four seasons, out of which the Benagaluru side made it to three play-offs. "I got a phone call from Mo Bobat and Andy Flower. I sat there on a zoom call, where they explained the decision not to be retained. It was actually really beautiful, except may be if that could be possible. We ended up talking about the game for about half-an-hour, talking about their strategy and what they are looking to do going forward," Maxwell said on ESPNcricinfo's Around the Wicket show. "I completely understand the direction they are heading. They need 3 Indians to build that core and hopefully, their overseas players can complement those locals. I was really happy with that. If every team did that, I think probably will make relationships more smoother," added the Australian, who is RCB's fifth-highest run getter with 1266 runs from 52 matches. Also Read: Pizza to pace! Thomas Draca set to bring Italian flair to the IPL scene Maxwell, however, still harbours hopes of being picked by RCB in the mega auction, slated to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. "I won't say my RCB innings is over but I would certainly like to get back there. It was a great franchise and I really enjoyed my time there." RCB's head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat also took RCB's Instagram handle to explain about the franchise's decision not to retain big names like Maxwell, former skipper Faf du Plessis and India pacer Mohammed Siraj. "Maxi (Maxwell) has been an integral part of RCB. He is a sensationally, exciting player. He is known for the maverick type tag and that's how he plays and sometimes that's how he lives," Flower said. Bobat was more detailed, saying: "He (Siraj) has played for RCB in the past and not somebody we have retained at this junction. Again we have kept our options open in particular with our desire to retain a strong Indian core to use our finances in that way and keep our options in terms of our overseas players. "There are a number of overseas players we have not retained but we will keep an eye on them going into the auction." Both Flower and Bobat said the decision not to retain Du Plessis and Siraj was a tough a very difficult one. "One of the people affected by these retentions is someone I admire greatly -- Faf du Plessis. I have known Faf for a number of years. I have worked with him at different franchises, it was really a tough season. He is calm, strong with a good sense of humour. He is a guy we spent a lot of time discussing," Flower said. "This is the start of a new cycle with the auctions, we are leaving our options open on the leadership front." Bobat termed the decision to let go Du Plessis as a tricky one. "The decision to not retain Faf was a tricky one because I have great admiration for him as a bloke, as a cricketer, as a leader and as a captain. We can't underestimate how bigger role he has played for us in the last few years and we are going to be missing him. That was a tough decision for us. "Obviously the way these retentions are set up it is difficult to get everything you want. I think he will admit that he is in the latter part of his career now and obviously Andy and I have to really think strongly around RCB's leadership moving forward." Both Flower and Bobat said the decision not to retain Siraj was completely a tactical thinking. "I am sure one of the surprises around our retention is that we haven't retained Mohammed Siraj. Siraj is a successful international cricketer of great repute. He also has been with RCB for last eight seasons. The skills in the fast bowling department we have already identified and retained, they think which we want is the left-arm angle and T20 skills that Yash Dayal has," Flower explained. Bobat added: "Probably the decision which took most time is whether we retain Mohammed Siraj or not because he has got that real fire which is infectious for the rest of the team. He goes on quite well with Virat and the combination of those two is very powerful. It was a big decision for us to make not to retain Siraj." (With agency inputs)
06 November,2024 09:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentFor the first time in IPL history, a cricketer from Italy has made it to the longlist for the highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction. However, contrary to earlier speculations, it isn't former Australia batter Joe Burns, who switched allegiances to Italy, instead, it is 24-year-old Thomas Draca, whose registration has put Italy firmly on the radar of IPL scouts and fans alike. The auction, set to take place in Jeddah on November 24-25, has attracted a record 1,574 players, including 1,165 from India and a host of international cricketers. Among the overseas entrants, South Africa boasts the largest contingent with 92 players, followed by Australia (76 players) and England (52 players). Surprisingly, the auction has also piqued the interest of cricketers from associate nations like the United States and the United Arab Emirates, with Draca standing out as the first representative from Italy. Born in 2000, Draca is a dynamic all-rounder who made his international debut for Italy in June 2024. In his debut match against Luxembourg, he put up a standout performance, taking two wickets for 15 runs in four overs, helping Italy secure a comprehensive 77-run victory. Also Read: James Anderson leads IPL 2025 auction list, Ben Stokes missing Since then, Draca has played four T20 internationals, claiming a total of eight wickets, with a best of 3/9 against Isle of Man. Draca’s impressive performances didn’t go unnoticed in the global circuit. During the Global T20 Canada 2024, where he represented the Brampton Wolves, Draca emerged as one of the tournament's top performers. He finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, with 11 wickets in 6 matches, boasting an exceptional average of 10.63 and an economy rate of 6.88. Draca's standout performance came against Surrey, where he claimed three wickets for 18 runs, playing a crucial role in defending a total of 198 and securing a 59-run victory for his team. He also impressed in other matches, recording figures of 3/10 against Mississauga and 3/30 against Surrey, which contributed to Brampton's second-place finish in the tournament's points table. Unfortunately, Brampton's campaign ended with a loss to the Toronto Nationals in the second qualifier. Draca's strong performances in international cricket and the GT20 Canada led to his inclusion in the MI Emirates squad for the upcoming International League T20 (ILT20), further solidifying his credentials on the global stage.
06 November,2024 07:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKL Rahul's batting number and current form will be keenly watched by the national selection committee as he gets ready to show his wares for India A against an Australia A line-up that will have seasoned Scott Boland in its ranks in the second unofficial Test match starting on Thursday. Save Rahul, there isn't a single player in the India A line-up who has featured in a match at the iconic MCG, where India is scheduled to play the Boxing Day Test from December 26. Having been dropped midway through the home Tests against New Zealand, the Indian selectors in consultation with the team management decided to send Rahul and reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel for the second 'A' Test before they link up with the senior team in Perth on January 11. With Boland, one of Australia's senior reserve pacers steaming in and hitting the deck, it will be a stern test for the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, but Rahul will certainly get the maximum traction because of his chances of playing in the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During the practice session at the MCG, Rahul looked in good touch. Also Read: The future of KL Rahul With Easwaran and skipper Gaikwad set to open, it is expected that Rahul will bat at No. 5 or 6 in the India A set-up, as that would be his batting position if he is selected in the India playing XI at ay point during the Test series. There is a firm belief that when it comes to quality fast bowling in bouncy conditions, Rahul with hundreds at Lord's, Oval, Sydney, Centurion is way more equipped than domestic doyen Sarfaraz Khan, although the latter after his 150 against New Zealand at Bengaluru will certainly be the favourite to play at the Optus Stadium from November 22. As far as the India A team is concerned, there will be four changes in the squad that played the first 'unofficial Test' at Mackay, which the visitors lost by seven wickets. Rahul will come in place of Baba Indrajith, who scored 9 and 6 and didn't look comfortable at all against pace and bounce, which wasn't exactly 125 clicks. Jurel will come in place of Ishan Kishan, who was at the centre of a ball-change controversy at Mackay, although it was more about his terse remarks that left the on-field umpires annoyed. Navdeep Saini, who also had a poor game will make way for left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, while off-spinner all-rounder Tanush Kotian will replace slow left-arm orthodox Manav Suthar in the playing XI. Two players who will miss out on game time are keeper-batter Abhishek Porel and burly middle-order willow wielder Ricky Bhui. (With agency inputs)
06 November,2024 05:43 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the highly-anticipated auctions for the upcoming season of Indian Premier League, Punjab Kings announced batters Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh as their player retentions for the coming edition. He added that they build their core players at the auction along with some from the 2024 squad. "We have a plan in place for adding to the core. You will see a lot more surprises as well. You will see the core group forming and we are confident we will go all out and make a big play this season," he said. Prabhsimran has been with Punjab since 2019 and over the past six years, the wicketkeeper has scored 756 runs in 34 games at an average of 22.24 and a strike rate of 146.23. Meanwhile, Shashank emerged as one of the key players for the team last season, scoring an impressive 354 runs in 14 games at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 164.65. "We have seen Prabhsimran develop over the last six years. He is a player that we have put a lot of faith in. We have seen him bloom. He played some fantastic innings last year. We believe he is on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues," Menon said. Also Read: 'Time to repay the faith': Punjab Kings' Shashank Singh ready to build on breakthrough IPL season "As far as Shashank is concerned, he is known for his batting at multiple positions in the order. He showed his mettle last season. He continues with the same style and passion. That was one of the big reasons why we retained him. He is a gun fielder. And these two players are the best fits for us," he further added. Earlier this year, the Kings announced Ricky Ponting as the Head Coach for the coming season, and Menon hinted that the Aussie legend will bring in new and fresh ideas at the upcoming auctions. He further added that his side will eye the trophy this season. "This auction will be critical as we go there with maximum purse. We will build on what we have at the moment. It will be an interesting auction, especially for us, as we also have a new coach in Ricky Ponting. He is one of the sharpest minds in cricket. You will see us develop an extraordinary team. Our goal is to go for silverware this year - nothing short of that," he signed off. 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
06 November,2024 04:45 PM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesA viral throwback video from September last year, featuring former India captain MS Dhoni in an unexpected golf contest with Donald Trump, has resurfaced following the latter's victory in the United States presidential elections on Wednesday. Dhoni, who was on vacation in the USA at the time, seized the opportunity to meet the Republican politician, and the two spent an afternoon on the golf course together. The video, showcasing their friendly yet competitive match, quickly garnered attention, with fans across India and the world lauding Dhoni’s international appeal. His interaction with Trump sparked curiosity, particularly given the Indian cricketer’s longstanding reputation for maintaining a neutral stance on political matters. MS Dhoni playing golf with Donald Trump.- The craze for Dhoni is huge. pic.twitter.com/fyxCo3lhAQ — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 8, 2023 At the time of their meeting, Trump had just officially launched his bid for the 2024 presidential election. While some observers speculated that Dhoni’s casual meeting with the former president could be interpreted as an endorsement, the cricketer chose not to comment publicly or engage on social media, opting to keep the focus on the personal nature of the encounter. Also Read: IPL 2025 retentions: Excitement surrounds among fans over MS Dhoni's retention MS Dhoni in IPL 2025 In a separate development, Dhoni has officially been retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, albeit under unique circumstances. The 41-year-old, who has not played an international match since 2019, will be retained by CSK as an uncapped player for INR 4 crores. This decision is in line with IPL regulations, which allow retired players to be retained in the uncapped category, and is a testament to Dhoni’s continued value within the franchise. CSK, in a bid to manage its finances ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, successfully negotiated with Dhoni to accept a pay cut. Despite his legendary status and immense marketability, the iconic wicketkeeper-batsman agreed to take a reduced salary to help the franchise stay within budgetary limits. This move reflects Dhoni’s unwavering commitment to CSK, with whom he has enjoyed unparalleled success, including multiple IPL titles. As the mega auction draws near, set for November 24 and 25, MS Dhoni’s retention as an uncapped player ensures his continued influence in the IPL while maintaining his pivotal role with CSK, even as the future of his cricketing career remains focused on the T20 league.
06 November,2024 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant on Wednesday rose five places to sixth spot in the latest ICC Men's Test Batter Rankings following his strong performance in a losing cause in third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai last week. Pant made the jump on the back of a pair of half-centuries during the Mumbai Test, in a sure sign that he is back to his best following a serious car accident, with the attacking left-hander now just one spot behind the career-best fifth position he first occupied in July 2022. The other Indian batter in the top Test batter's chart is young left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth. New Zealand secured a narrow 25-run victory in Mumbai to claim an unprecedented 3-0 series whitewash over India, with Pant and visiting side's Daryl Mitchell the main beneficiaries in the top 10 Test batter rankings. Mitchell jumped eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings against India in the Mumbai Test, joining teammate Kane Williamson (second) as the only New Zealanders inside the top 10. Also Read: Sai, Akshansh help IRA Global register 342-run win England right-hander Joe Root maintained his healthy lead at the top of the list, with Williamson, Harry Brook (third), Jaiswal (fourth) and Steve Smith (fifth) his closest challengers. India's Shubman Gill (up four places to 16th) also makes some ground on the list for Test batters following a score of 90 in the first innings against New Zealand in Mumbai, while player-of-the-series Will Young of New Zealand gained 29 spots to move to 44th overall. Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth in the Test bowler rankings after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand, placing him just behind top-ranked Kagiso Rabada. Australia's Josh Hazlewood occupied the second spot ahead of India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins and Ravichandran Ashwin. Teammate Washington Sundar jumped seven places to move to 46th on the same list for Test bowlers, while spin duo Ajaz Patel (up 12 places to 22nd) and Ish Sodhi (up three rungs to equal 70th) are among the gainers from New Zealand. (With agency inputs)
06 November,2024 04:12 PM IST | Dubai | mid-day online correspondentThe IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, will see 41-year-old James Anderson, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, make an unexpected bid for a spot in the lucrative T20 league. Anderson, who is currently serving as England's bowling coach, has taken many by surprise with this decision, marking a dramatic shift from his role as a player-coach. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes is notably absent from the 1574 players registered for the mega auction list. The feisty all-rounder opted out of IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness and suffered a hamstring injury during the hundred in August, which led him to be sidelined for two months. The extensive list of registered players, which will be trimmed after input from the franchises, includes all the marquee Indian players not retained by their teams. Among them, former captains Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants), and Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) are listed with a base price of Rs 2 crore. Joining them are R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, both released by Rajasthan Royals, and Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played since the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to injuries. Other Indian players at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore include Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Ishan Kishan, Mukesh Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, T Natarajan, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav. Also Read: Spin curse struck India Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, unsold in the last auction, have registered at a base price of Rs 75 lakh. Mitchell Starc, the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought for Rs 24.50 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, returns to the auction pool at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Jofra Archer, having played only five games for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023 due to injuries, is also listed at the same base price. The list also features an unusual entrant, Italy's Thomas Draca, who played in the Global T20 Canada and was recently picked by MI Emirates for the ILT20 in the UAE. Franchises can build squads of up to 25 players, with 204 slots available at the auction after retaining 46 players across the ten teams. Each team has a total purse of Rs 120 crore, with Punjab Kings (PBKS) having the largest remaining purse (Rs 110.5 crore), followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) (Rs 83 crore) and Delhi Capitals (DC) (Rs 73 crore). Teams were allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped and two uncapped players. These players can be retained outright, bought back using Right-to-Match (RTM) options, or a combination of both. If a player is bought by another franchise, his previous team can match the highest bid using the RTM option, after which the winning bid can be raised, requiring the original team to match the increased bid to retain the player. Also Read: Sai, Akshansh help IRA Global register 342-run win Punjab Kings, having retained just two players, have the most RTM options (four) at the auction. RCB, with three retained players, have three RTM options, while Delhi Capitals, with four retained players, have two. Five teams--MI, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Gujarat Titans (GT), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)--retained five players each and have one RTM option. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and KKR, having retained six players, have no RTM options. Franchises can still buy back as many players as they wish during regular bidding if they place the highest bids. (With agency inputs)
06 November,2024 04:04 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentNew Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has reflected on his team's historic 3-0 Test series victory over India, emphasising that their meticulous preparation for diverse playing conditions was key to their success. This monumental win marked New Zealand as the first touring side to achieve a clean sweep against India in a Test series played at home, a feat that has etched its place in cricketing history. Ajaz Patel, who took a total of 11 wickets across the two innings of the Mumbai Test, shared insights into the Kiwis' rigorous preparation ahead of their tour of India. He highlighted the importance of acclimatizing to turning pitches, stating, “We had a great winter back home where we prepared on turning wickets. We made sure we had different surfaces that we tried and practiced on, so we were, I guess, conditioned to bowling on different surfaces as well," Patel told ICC. This strategic groundwork has paid dividends, allowing the team to adapt swiftly to the varying conditions they faced during the series. The spinner elaborated on the unique challenges presented by the three different pitches in Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai. He acknowledged that adapting to ever-changing playing conditions is a significant hurdle for teams touring the subcontinent. “It's been three different surfaces and three different games,” Patel explained. "It's been three different surfaces and three different games, and we’re well aware that one of the challenges of going to Asia is that the conditions are going to change all the time and you have to be adaptable and even within the game the conditions change very quickly. “I mean even in this Mumbai Test, I was bowling in the first innings and I felt like I was bowling really well, but the wicket wasn't really turning and then (when) I came back after Lunch, all of a sudden everything started happening.” Also Read: Spin curse struck India Reflecting on his own career, Patel made a triumphant return to Wankhede Stadium, the site where he famously took all 10 wickets in a Test innings against India in 2021, joining the ranks of legendary bowlers like Jim Laker of England and Anil Kumble of India. Discussing the art of spin bowling, he emphasised the necessity of having a versatile skill set. “It's also reading the surface quickly because the conditions, as I say, do change at a constant (rate). Sometimes the conditions in the morning can be very different from the conditions in that middle session, and so as a spinner, it's about knowing how to get the most out of that. How to change your pace, how to go up and down while still having the ball shape," said Patel. The ability to read the surface and quickly adjust to changing conditions is crucial, according to Patel, who underscored that the conditions in the morning could be vastly different from those later in the day. New Zealand’s success in India followed a clean sweep in their previous series against Sri Lanka, which had been a stark contrast in terms of results. Despite the differing outcomes, Patel asserted that the quality of cricket played by New Zealand remained consistent. He noted that luck played a significant role, especially when it came to the critical tosses that can dictate the flow of play in subcontinent conditions. "From Sri Lanka to here, I don't think we were too much different. I think we played some really good cricket in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately (lost the series). When you come to the subcontinent, the toss is so important and bowling in the last innings in comparison to bowling in the third innings, especially on a turning wicket, can sometimes be the difference as spinners," Patel said. "While the results didn't go our way in Sri Lanka, I don't feel like we played too poorly or anything like that. Even from a batting department, we still put runs on the board. It was just a matter of, you know, having a bit of luck our way as well in the series," Patel 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
06 November,2024 03:57 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
With a string of defeats on their soil, the Indian cricketing landscape is now bracing for an inevitable period of reflection, and none other than the ‘Master Blaster’ himself, Sachin Tendulkar, has been quick to suggest that it may indeed be time for India to have a little ‘introspection’. But let’s face it, introspection is easier said than done when you have just suffered one of the most humiliating losses in recent memory. And if you thought the Indian batting line-up was impervious to pressure, think again. It is safe to say that India’s inability to combat spin, particularly against New Zealand, has raised some serious questions about their readiness for the big challenges ahead. Let’s take a step back and understand just how it all unfolded. In the opening Test in Bengaluru, the first innings was played under overcast conditions, which allowed New Zealand pacers to make a dent. However, once the conditions became more spin-friendly, the New Zealand spinners — Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips — turned the screws and exposed India’s weak spots. The conditions were tailor-made for spinners, and yet the Indian batsmen seemed to struggle in a way that could only be described as astonishing. It is almost as though the Indian batsmen, with all their technical brilliance and fancy records, forgot how to play a basic ball that turns. The series, which was meant to showcase India’s dominance on home turf, instead became a lesson in how not to play spin bowling. New Zealand, whose own players are often more accustomed to battling against their own pacers, suddenly found themselves the masters of the spin game. They consistently outfoxed the Indian batters, who looked out of sorts as they were bundled out on spinning wickets. The reality check was harsh, as India’s batting average against spinners dropped to alarming levels. Before this embarrassing setback, India had been going along just fine in the early months of the year. The five-match Test series against England, which India won 4-1 under the stewardship of Rahul Dravid, seemed to suggest that they were on top of their game. During that series, India’s batting average against spinners had been a relatively healthy 39.9. Of course, not all was perfect, but the numbers were far more respectable than they are now. Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, and Joe Root were all part of the English spin attack, and while their efforts were commendable, they only managed to take 60 wickets across five matches. Yet somehow, the Indian batting unit seemed to cope. Fast forward to 2024, and the situation has changed dramatically. In a series where India had everything going for them — the pitch conditions, home crowd, and an opponent with limited spin experience — they were thoroughly outplayed by New Zealand’s slow bowlers. In three Tests, India’s batsmen lost 37 wickets to the Kiwi spinners, and their batting average against spin plummeted to a staggering 24.4. In simple terms, India’s batters made an absolute mess of what should have been a straightforward contest. This whitewash is more than just a poor series result; it has massive implications for India’s standing in the World Test Championship (WTC). Once sitting pretty at the top of the WTC standings, India’s dramatic collapse against New Zealand has sent them tumbling down to second place. Their point percentage has now dipped to a perilous 58.33%, and Australia, who have had their own fair share of challenges, have snatched the top spot with a more comfortable point percentage of 62.50%. India now face the grim reality that they need to win four out of five matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia to keep their hopes of reaching the WTC final alive. Let’s pause here and savour that particular statistic: India must win four matches in a five-match series. There is no room for error, and every match now carries the weight of an entire season’s worth of cricket. A single loss or draw could be enough to dash their WTC aspirations. The pressure on Rohit Sharma and his team will be immense, but that’s what they signed up for. As the BGT series approaches, all eyes will be on whether India can bounce back or whether their batting woes will continue to haunt them. And let’s not forget that New Zealand, despite their triumph, is no powerhouse in the subcontinent. They have traditionally struggled on Indian pitches, but this series proved that even under the toughest of conditions, a little bit of spin can send the mighty Indian batsmen into a tailspin. The victory, while historic, wasn’t exactly a monumental achievement for New Zealand. The real story here is about India’s inability to adapt — a team that has been touted as one of the finest in the world now finds itself at a crossroads. This debacle also raises further questions about India’s so-called ‘home advantage’. Sure, they can boast about winning series on spinning wickets, but it seems that when the conditions demand more than just raw power and technique, they are left wanting. There’s an old cricketing adage that says, ‘A good team is one that adapts to any conditions’. Well, if that is the measure, India have a long way to go in proving that they can be truly adaptable. One would expect that after such a disastrous series, introspection would indeed be on the agenda. But let’s be real — this is Indian cricket, where analysis often stops at the surface level, and solutions are not always as forthcoming as they should be. The team has plenty of talent, but what they seem to lack right now is a clear strategy for tackling adversity. Is it a lack of preparation against quality spin? Or is it a deeper problem with technique under pressure? These are the tough questions that need answering. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author's personal views, and do not represent the views of Mid-Day.
06 November,2024 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Srijanee MajumdarAll-rounders Sai Kalan and Akshansh Singh, both 15, exhibited their talent with bat and ball in great measure. Their combined effort helped IRA Global School (Dombivli) record a resounding 342-run win over Aditya Birla World Academy (Tardeo) in a first-round match of the Harris Shield inter-school cricket tournament at Shivaji Park on Tuesday. The tall, gangling Sai batted aggressively during his 85-ball innings of 194 runs, while Akshansh contributed a quick 22-ball 44 runs as IRA Global School posted a healthy total of 459-8 from their stipulated 45 overs. Despite the onslaught, the Aditya Birla bowlers, Anirudh Jatia (3-72) and Kiyan Vora (3-144) put up a brace fight and claimed three wickets each. Later, medium pacer Akshansh (4-2-13-5) with his hostile pace broke the backbone of the Aditya Birla innings, dismissing five of the six top-order batsmen. Akshansh’s teammate Shaurya Rane played a good supporting role with two wickets to bowl out the opposition for a paltry 112 in 28.5 overs. All-rounder Kiyan, who opened the innings, was the only batter to defy the rival attack and scored 71 runs from 65 balls. Also Read: ‘Iyer’s return a huge boost’: Kulkarni In another match, leg-spinner Vedang Kokate, 14, notched up the first hat-trick (7-0-18-5) of the tournament. He spun Don Bosco High School (Matunga) to a massive 315-run victory over Ryan International (Khargar) at the Young Maharashtra ground. Batting first, Don Bosco piled up a huge total of 372-4 from 45 overs. Swanand Palav top-scored with 88, while his teammates Dev Nafade (65), Rughved Lad (62) and Yash Jagtap (53) lifted the Don Bosco innings. In response, Ryan International batters struggled to negotiate the rival spinners and were bowled out for 57. Akshansh and Swanand won the Man of the Match award in their respective matches and received a gift voucher of Rs 2000 each.
06 November,2024 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Gordon D’CostaAustralia opener Matthew Short feels that Pakistan’s tactics of bowling short in the ODI series opener will not work in the second match in Adelaide due to shorter square boundaries. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf got the benefit of bowling short with the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell on successive balls to give hosts a tough time in chasing a modest 204 target until Pat Cummins played a heroic match-winning knock to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan faces scrutiny over suspected bowling action: Report The longer square boundaries at Melbourne Cricket Ground helped Pakistan to test Australian batters on short-pitch deliveries. However, the tactic will need an assessment as the venue changes to Adelaide for the second ODI. “We saw Pakistan’s tactics [in Melbourne] bowling pretty short. But I think they may have to change that a little bit at this ground with the shorter square boundaries which are the complete opposite to the ‘G. It’s always a nice ground to bat on,” said Short. 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
06 November,2024 06:38 AM IST | Adelaide | IANSADVERTISEMENT
