Page 37 - Test Cricket

Over-tinkering of technique: Ponting on reasons behind Gill's poor form

Ponting weighed in, pointing to Gill's over-tinkering with his batting technique as primary reason for his struggles, suggesting that young cricketer must trust his instincts to rediscover his form

IND vs AUS - Modern-day great will figure out: Rohit on Virat Kohli's form

Across five innings, Kohli has amassed just 126 runs at an average of 31.50-a far cry from the consistency fans have come to expect

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Rohit reveals why Tanush picked ahead of Kuldeep-Axar

Tanush Kotian, a 26-year-old cricketer from Mumbai, has been a standout performer in domestic cricket. He has taken 101 wickets in 33 first-class matches, with an impressive average of 25.70.

IND vs AUS: Boland fine-tunes length in net session before Boxing Day Test

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is where Scott Boland truly feels at home. Out of his 40 Test wickets so far, the most memorable debut came at this very ground. Boland's first impression was so strong that it remains the most lasting one to date -- blowing away England with figures of 6 for 7 in the second innings during his debut, buoyed by his loyal supporters. Now, as another Boxing Day Test approaches at the 'G', Boland is ready to step in once again for Josh Hazlewood, continuing the role of the perfect first substitute that has defined his 11-Test career. And just like a true workhorse, his practice sessions are as regimented as they come. On Monday, during Australia's first session ahead of the fourth Test, Boland's focus was clear. Known for hitting hard lengths, Boland practiced single-net spot bowling without any batters. His aim was to fine-tune the length ideal for the MCG track. Boland is not a conventional swing bowler and relies more on pace and movement off the

McSweeney's tough start may lead to return at No. 4 or 5: Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan sympathised with Nathan McSweeney for his struggles against star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah that led to his axing from Australia Test squad, and said he could comeback as a middle-order batter in future. McSweeney was dismissed by Bumrah four times across six innings and the Australia selectors have replaced him with teenage sensation Sam Konstas for the Melbourne and Sydney Test. "I look at McSweeney and think I don't think there's a player who has had a harder start to their career. I feel for the kid, because of all the people that I've seen come into Test cricket over the last 10 years, I don't think anyone's been given a harder challenge," Vaughan told Fox Sports. McSweeney, 25, who made his Test debut in the series-opener in Perth, struggled at the top with scores of 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9, and 4 in his six innings. "To face Bumrah in the conditions that he's had to face now, the pink ball under lights in his second game, in Perth it d

IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test: Fans wait for Kohli's Kingly' outing at MCG

Kohli, Kohli.the chants from 90000 fervent fans still reverberate in the ear when you step into the fabled MCG, even two years after the former Indian skipper pulled off a stunning heist against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. Back then, Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 off 53 balls helped India snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat, and now he is back at the G, looking for another redemption act. Kohli made a bright beginning to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia with a second innings hundred at Perth. But since then he has hit the snooze mode, producing just 26 runs over the next four innings across Adelaide and Brisbane Tests. However, Kohli's travails with the bat notwithstanding, his popularity off the field has not diminished one bit, a quick tour of MCG will make you understand that fact. You will be greeted with Kohli's pictures at the ticket counter of the Australian Sports Museum. Then there are images of him kissing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ..

IND vs AUS: Aussie debutant Konstas ready with plan to counter Bumrah

Konstas is unfazed by the challenge of facing Bumrah. "I do have a plan for Bumrah, but I'm not going to share it," he said with confidence.

Wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day in Brisbane: Akash Deep

Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah saved India the blushes during the Brisbane Test with a resolute 10th wicket partnership but the rookie pacer on Sunday said his focus was on wholesome contribution to the team rather than looking to "merely save the follow-on." With the Indian batters, barring KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, failing once again, the obstinate 47-run partnership between Bumrah and Akash took India past the follow-on mark during the Gabba Test, which ended in a draw. "We come to bat lower down the order, so contributions of 20-25-30 runs are very valuable. My mindset is just to contribute. I wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day; I was just looking not to get out. My mindset was this, God willing, we were able to save the follow-on," Akash told reporters here. Akash smashed Pat Cummins for a four to avoid the follow-on as the Indian dressing room broke into celebrations on day four. When you save the match from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence

Rohit can be dangerous at no. 6: Ravi Shastri ahead of Boxing Day Test

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri emphasized that Rohit should avoid being indecisive about whether to defend or attack.

IND vs AUS: Konstas 'excited' to face Bumrah in Boxing Day Test

Konstas, who was called up to the squad at the expense of opener Nathan McSweeney, is brimming with confidence but plans to approach the challenge without overburdening himself with footage of Bumrah.

IND vs AUS: Injury scare for Rohit Sharma ahead of Boxing Day Test

The captain has not been in his best touch, particularly while batting at No. 6, raising doubts about his future in Test cricket.

IND vs AUS: KL Rahul attended to by physio after getting hit on hand

India opener KL Rahul got hit on his hand while batting at the nets here on Saturday and was promptly attended to by the visiting team's physio ahead of the fourth Test against Australia. Rahul was hit on his right hand and was seen in some discomfort at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which will host the Boxing Day Test from December 26 with the five-match series levelled at 1-1. There is no clarity on the extent of injury and the team management has also not issued any statement on why he had sought medical attention. In a video that surfaced on social media, Rahul was seen holding the right hand while receiving treatment. Rahul has been the team's in-form batter in the ongoing tour, scoring 235 runs from six innings at an impressive average of 47. The elegant right-hander has so far struck two half-centuries and is set to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the fourth Test. Overall, he is the second highest scorer in the marquee series behind Australia's swashbuckling

IND vs AUS: Top 10 highest wicket-takers ahead of Boxing Day Test at MCG

Bumrah's performances have been nothing short of match-winning, as he has repeatedly stepped up to rescue India from difficult situations, proving to be the backbone of the Indian bowling attack.

Head to Jadeja: Highest run-scorers ahead of Boxing Day Test | IND vs AUS

With the crucial Boxing Day Test scheduled to begin on December 26, check the highest run-getter in India vs Australia Test series, which is also known as Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 here

Australian top-three seriously out of form, should go back to basics: Healy

Ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test against India from December 26, legendary wicketkeeper Ian Healy has pointed out the serious lack of form of the top-three Australian batters and advised them to go to the basics and perform if they want to continue in the team. Australia made 445 in the first innings of the rain truncated third Test at Brisbane with Travis Head and Steve Smith smashing centuries but the home team did miserably in the second innings before declaring at 89 for 7. The match ended in a draw with the five-match Test series level at 1-1. "I don't see them (Australia) regressing going into Melbourne, but they are out of form, they're seriously out of form," Healy told SEN Radio. Openers Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney and one-drop batter Marnus Labuschagne performed below expectations at the Gabba before Smith and Head halted the slide with centuries in the first innings. The second innings was even worse with the top three managing just 13 runs. "Questions have got

Ashwin returns to Chennai after announcing his retirement in Brisbane

A day after announcing his retirement from international cricket midway into the Test series against Australia, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a quiet early-morning return to the country here on Thursday. Ashiwn could be seen was escorted out of the Chennai International Airport by local officials as fans took photographs before he left with his family without talking to the waiting media. Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is locked 1-1 after three games. He will continue to play club cricket, including the IPL, where he will return to play for Chennai Super Kings next year. He signed off as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, placing him only behind the great Anil Kumble (619 wickets) in the overall statistics. "I do feel there is bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket," Ashwin said in a brief

Not Sachin or Kohli: Ashwin is the greatest match winner for India in Tests

Ashwin's career statistics speak volumes about his impact. Over 106 Test matches, he took 537 wickets, securing his place as the seventh-highest wicket-taker of all time.

IND vs AUS: Here's why Gavaskar criticises Ashwin's retirement timing

Speaking to broadcasters Star Sports, Gavaskar compared Ashwin's decision to MS Dhoni's mid-series retirement in 2014-15

Haven't batted well: Rohit opens up on his batting form | IND vs AUS

A bigger challenge for Rohit now is adapting to the middle order after KL Rahul's solid performances, which have seen him take over the opening slot.

Heartbreaks and triumphs: Top 5 moments for Team India in cricket in 2024

From a historic T20 World Cup win to being clean-swept at home by New Zealand, these were the highlights of the Indian men's cricket team in 2024