Indian Cricket

Head coach Gambhir set to rejoin Indian team in Australia on Tuesday

India head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to rejoin the team in Australia ahead of the second Test at Adelaide Oval, having flown back home due to "personal reasons" after the big win in the series opener in Perth. Gambhir missed the two-day warm-up game against the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval here, which was reduced to a 46-overs-a-side contest due to inclement weather. He had left the touring party on November 26, the scheduled final day of the first Test in Perth. A rampaging India won the opening Test by 295 runs and with plenty of time left in the match. The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a pink-ball day-nighter, will start on Friday. Finalising the playing XI will be Gambhir's top priority after he links up with the Indian squad that has been strengthened further by the arrival of captain Rohit Sharma after he missed the opening game of the five-match series due to the birth of his second child. In Gambhir's absence, his three trusted lieutenants Abhishek Nay

Shubman Gill's left thumb fractured, likely to rule out of Perth Test

India were dealt a telling blow on Saturday after star top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a left thumb fracture which is likely to rule him out of the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 22. Gill, one of the young heroes of India's last Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph, is a batting mainstay and in case skipper Rohit Sharma opts out of the first Test, India's top-order could look very thin. Gill got hurt while fielding on the second day of the intra-squad match simulation. He was seen in considerable pain and immediately left the field for further scans. According to a BCCI source privy to the development, Gill has indeed fractured his left thumb and with less than a week left for the Test to start, it will be near impossible for the stylish right-hander to get fit in time for the opening match. A thumb fracture generally takes around 14 days to heal after which one is expected to start his regular net sessions. Since the .

BCCI rejects media report of India wanting 'closed door training sessions'

The Indian team management has decided to allow the public to watch their centre-wicket training sessions from Friday to Sunday when they would do match simulation and play a warm-up game against India A at the WACA ground. This is in contrary to an Australian media report claiming that the visiting team's practice sessions are closed to the public. On Wednesday, 'The Australian' claimed in a report that a team of construction workers, which is currently refurbishing the WACA, has been mailed by its company CEO to not watch, click pictures, or fly drones during the India net sessions. "The extent to which India is keeping their practice guarded is laid bare in a leaked email issued to workers involved in the WACA refurbishment, due to be completed next year," the newspaper reported. "Not only has the public been barred from watching India train, even those working in the precinct are under strict instructions not to take a peek, according to an email sent by Adam Sauzier of ADCO ..

Indian cricket's home truths: When attack becomes the best form of defence

The series loss to New Zealand has laid bare a fundamental question: Is T20 batting ethos proliferating into Test cricket?

ICC awaits PCB's decision on conducting Champions Trophy in hybrid model

The International Cricket Council has sought a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board on hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model following India's refusal to travel to the country for the tournament. The PCB on Sunday had confirmed that it received an email from the ICC that India declined to travel to the neighbouring country. Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India's matches in UAE and the final in Dubai, a source told PTI on Monday. The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan, the source added. The PCB on Monday remained silent without giving any reaction to the BCCI informing the ICC it will not send its team to play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. But according to sources, the ICC has asked the PCB to confirm if a Hybrid Model -- where India's matches and the final would be held in Dubai -- is acceptable to .

Indian team to not travel Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy: Report

ICC was informed of BCCI's stance on Pakistan's visit this week, as per ESPNCricinfo, but it could not be confirmed if BCCI had communicated their decision orally

Happy Birthday Virat Kohli! King of Cricket turns 36 today, fans react

Virat Kohli is celebrating his 36th birthday today. Social media is flooded with congratulatory messages. Check out some top posts below

Delhi court orders fresh probe against Gautam Gambhir in flat cheating case

Directing a fresh investigation, a Delhi court has set aside the discharge of former cricketer and current head coach of the Indian cricket team Gautam Gambhir, and others in a case where flat buyers were reportedly cheated. Special Judge Vishal Gogne set aside a magisterial court order, saying it reflected "inadequate expression of mind" in deciding the allegations against Gambhir. "The allegations also merit further investigation into the role of Gautam Gambhir," Judge Gogne wrote in his October 29 order. An alleged cheating case was filed against real estate firms Rudra Buildwell Realty Pvt. Ltd, H R Infracity Pvt Ltd., U M Architectures and Contractors Ltd., and Gambhir, who was a director and brand ambassador of the companies' joint venture. The judge noted Gambhir was the only accused who had a "direct interface with the investors" in his capacity as a brand ambassador and though he had been discharged, the magisterial court's order made no reference to him paying Rs 6 crore

Indian women's team coach Majumdar wants team to regroup before NZ series

India women's head coach Amol Muzumdar exhorted the side to push behind the hurt of the T20 World Cup and regroup for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning here Thursday. New Zealand, who eventually lifted the ICC showpiece, had beaten India in their World Cup opener in the UAE recently, as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side failed to enter the knockouts. It'll be an understatement to say that we were disappointed from the World Cup, as the team and the players have been hurting. But we need to gather ourselves and look at the positives that we have done in the last 10 months as a group, Muzumdar told the media on the eve of the first one-dayer here. Muzumdar reminisced about the team's dominant run over South Africa recently in Bengaluru, winning the ODI series 3-0, and asked the team to concentrate on its strengths. We'd won 3-0 against South Africa just a couple of months back in Bangalore. So, we are really looking forward to the series (against NZ). It's an ...

Jemimah's Khar Gymkhana membership revoked over father's religious events

The cancellation followed allegations of Ivan Rodrigues, Jemimah's father, being involved in organising a series of religious events at the club

Ex-batter Ajay Jadeja to start new innings as Jam Saheb of Jamnagar

The current Jam Saheb, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, has announced Ajay Jadeja, a member of the royal family, as his successor

Indian pacer Reddy reprimanded for aggressive celebration against Nida Dar

India pace bowler Arundhati Reddy was on Monday reprimanded for giving an aggressive send-off to Pakistan's Nida Dar during their Women's T20 World Cup contest here. Reddy had taken three wickets in India's six-wicket win over the arch-rivals on Sunday. She let emotions get the better of her after castling Dar in the 20th over of the Pakistan innings as she gestured in the direction of the pavilion. "Reddy was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match'," said the ICC in a statement. "In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Reddy's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period." Reddy admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction. On-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Lauren Agenbag, third um

Sachin Tendulkar joins America's NCL ownership group to grow cricket in US

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined America's National Cricket League (NCL) ownership group, a move that is expected to give a big boost to the sport in the United States in the coming years. "Cricket has been my life's greatest journey and I am pleased to join the National Cricket League at such an exciting time for the sport in the US," Tendulkar said after the NCL announced that the batting legend has joined them. "The NCL's vision to create a platform for world-class cricket while inspiring a new generation of fans to resonate with me. I look forward to being part of this new initiative and witnessing the growth of cricket in the US first hand," Tendulkar said. The NCL tournament opens with a performance by singer Mika Singh and features themed nights, bringing a Coachella-like energy, a media release said. This season, the NCL brings together cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanath .

Bangladesh's pace sensation Nahid Rana confident for India Test series

Having made an instant impact with his brilliant performance in the historic 2-0 triumph over Pakistan, Bangladesh rising speedster Nahid Rana has now set his eyes on the upcoming away Test series against India. The 21-year-old consistently hit 150 kph and stood out as the star performer especially in the second innings of the final Test in Rawalpindi where he took 4/44 as Bangladesh secured a historic sweep. "Obviously we are well prepared for India series. We have started training. The more we are prepared the better we will be in execution during the matches," Rana said in a video shared by Bangladesh Cricket in 'X', formerly twitter. "India are a good team but the team that plays better cricket will win. We will see when we go there." The speedster, from Chapainawabganj, has emerged as a new sensation in Bangladesh cricket with his ability to bowl consistently fast over long spells. He made headlines by crossing the 150 kph mark on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in March thi

KL Rahul to get preference over Sarfaraz Khan in Bangladesh Test series

Sarfaraz Khan's fearless approach in the home series against England impressed one and all but KL Rahul's experience will give him the advantage when it comes to finalising the playing XI in India's season-opening Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19 in Chennai. It is believed that the team management and the selection committee's full focus is on the tour of Australia in November-December and Rahul's experience of 50 Tests puts him in an advantageous position. For the team management, it is a choice between a younger man's (Sarfaraz) flamboyance and fearlessness and a seasoned campaigner who has been a Test captain and is part of the national set-up for a decade now. "For people on the outside, they don't understand how a team works and what are the systems in place. In his last three Test matches, KL scored a century in South Africa, one of the best Test knocks in recent times and 86 at Hyderabad in the last Test he played before injury. "He was not dropped but go

Rishabh Pant returns as India announce squad for 1st Test against B'desh

Rishabh Pant on Sunday returned to the Test side after nearly 20 months as India announced their 16-man squad for the opening match of the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19. Virat Kohli also made a comeback having missed the five-Test series against England at home earlier this year for having taken a break for the birth of his second child. While fast bowler Mohammed Shami remains on a comeback trail and was not included in the squad, uncapped left-arm Uttar Pradesh fast bowler Yash Dayal received his maiden Test call-up. India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was last seen in national colours during the T20 World Cup, returned to the squad and he is expected to play a couple of more Tests against New Zealand in October-November, before the team flies out to Australia for a five-Test series. Bumrah is perhaps the only player apart from Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma to have been given freedom to choose as per the workload requirement and how his body ..

Abundance of talent makes cricket powerful in India: Rahul Dravid

The legendary Rahul Dravid on Sunday said that Indian cricket has evolved into an "extremely powerful" force, thanks to the growing talent pool that now extends to even the remotest corners of the country. Dravid, who masterminded India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, said a strong club cricket culture has a lot to do with bucking the old trend of city cricketers dominating the passage to the national team. "If you look at Indian cricket today, Indian cricket is extremely strong, it's extremely powerful. One of the big reasons for that is that talent comes from everywhere, from all over the country, said Dravid during the 50th year celebration of Mount Joy Cricket Club. I think if you go back to the time of say GR Vishwanath or even when I was starting out my career, most of the talent came from the big cities or from few other states. Even if they were talented boys in smaller places, they had to come to the big cities to play cricket. But today I think you see in Indian cricket t

Jonty Rhodes believes India will become stronger under coach Gautam Gambhir

South Africa cricket legend Jonty Rhodes believes the Indian team will only become stronger under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, and said the former opener has the ability to make an instant impact in any side. "Wherever GG (Gautam Gambhir) goes he makes an impact, we saw this when he left the Lucknow Super Giants and went to the Kolkata Knight Riders the impact that he had," Rhodes told PTI videos at the Pro Cricket League launch event on Saturday. "He is very much a hands-on guy and is certainly somebody who knows what he wants and speaks his own mind. "Gambhir leaves no stone unturned, and now that he has taken over the reigns of the Indian team, they will go from strength to strength," he added. Rhodes, who is the fielding coach of Lucknow Super Giants, also lauded Zaheer Khan's appointment as mentor of the IPL side. He said Zaheer's calm head will help the side get through tense situations during a game. "A calm cricketing mind is what you need at the IPL level, especially i

Never thought I would hit 19 sixes, make a world record: Ayush Badoni

South Delhi Superstarz skipper Ayush Badoni, who hit a record 19 sixes, believes his ability to time the ball is the reason behind a record-smashing 55-ball 165 runs effort in the Delhi Premier League match against North Delhi Strikers. The 24-year-old right-hander's superb effort guiding his team to a 112-run win on Saturday. Ayush, who also shared a 286-run partnership with opener Priyansh Arya for the second wicket, bettered the record for most sixes by a batter in an innings which stood in the name of West Indian great Chris Gayle and Estonia's Sahil Chauhan. They had both hit 18 maximums in T20 games. "I was just looking to time the ball well, I never thought I would end up hitting 19 sixes in an innings. I just focus on timing the ball and not trying to hit the ball hard," Badoni told PTI Videos. Badoni, who plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, has had a decent run with the bat in the lucrative league in his short cricketing career. After his heroics in the ongoing DPL,

Jonty Rhodes hails Jadeja as complete all-rounder, calls Raina brilliant

South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes on Saturday called Ravindra Jadeja a "complete all-round" fielder in the world right now, and also spoke highly about former India player Suresh Raina's abilities on the ground. The 55-year-old Rhodes, regarded as one of the greatest fielders of all time who became the first South African cricketer to take 100 ODI catches, played for the national team from 1992 till 2003. Post retirement, Rhodes became associated with several IPL teams, including Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and most recently Lucknow Super Giants, as fielding coach. "I am a big fan of Suresh Raina. I enjoyed his playing days but now he has retired. In the past in India, the cricketing infrastructure wasn't there to support the passion and love for cricket. Suresh Raina was someone who used to throw himself around the field," said Rhodes, who was roped in as the brand ambassador of Hero Pro Corporate League cricket tournament on Saturday. "Unlike Raina, I had a very fortunat