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  • Ranji Trophy – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant miss out, Siddharth Desai misses perfect ten


    Highlights from the opening day of the sixth round of matches

    Rohit’s big miss on Ranji return

    Rohit Sharma‘s Ranji Trophy return after nearly 10 years wasn’t as memorable as he’d hoped it would be. His 19-ball vigil brought him 3, and he was out caught off the leading edge while attempting a half-nudge, half-pull into the leg side off a rising delivery from Jammu & Kashmir’s Umar Nazir. It was reminiscent of two recent Test dismissals for Rohit: against Pat Cummins at the MCG, and against Matt Henry at the Wankhede Stadium.

    Rohit’s dismissal quickly followed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s after Mumbai opted to bat first. Ajinkya Rahane, the captain, and Shreyas Iyer also managed just 12 and 11 respectively in a first innings that lasted just 33.2 overs with Mumbai bowled out for 120. But excellent work with the ball means Mumbai have a chance of limiting their deficit to under three figures.

    Rohit’s return to the domestic set-up comes on the back of the BCCI’s new guidelines, which have come into force since India’s 3-1 reversal in Australia earlier this month. Rohit’s Test future hangs in the balance after he opted out of the Sydney Test, but he has reiterated that he hasn’t retired and is still hopeful of leading the team in Tests.

    Gill and Punjab collapse against swing and seam

    In Bengaluru, Shubman Gill‘s outing was equally forgettable, not just with the bat but on the field as captain too. Punjab, who were missing Abhishek Sharma, were bowled out for 55 with Gill managing just 4 before nicking behind as swing and seam bowlers ruled on a greenish deck at the Chinnaswamy. By stumps, Punjab were so far behind in the game that they’ll probably need a Gill special to even salvage one point from the match.
    Gill’s return to domestic cricket presented an opportunity for him to get some match time and confidence back following underwhelming returns in Australia where he featured in just three of the five Tests, while aggregating 93 runs in five innings. His returns outside Asia since the 2021 World Test Championship final have been in particular focus – he averages 17.64 across 18 innings.

    Pant misses out; Jadeja takes five on Rajkot turner

    In Rajkot, Rishabh Pant lasted just 10 deliveries as he was out to Dharmendrasinh Jadeja. Pant’s dismissal was part of Delhi’s top-order collapse against spin. Ravindra Jadeja, a formidable threat on turners, thrived in conditions tailor-made for him as he picked up his 35th first-class five-for as Delhi were bowled out for 188.

    In reply, Saurashtra were adrift by 25 at stumps but had lost five wickets, including those of Cheteshwar Pujara and Jadeja, who has top-scored so far with 38. Pujara, who isn’t part of India’s Test plans, made just 6. Apart from the 234 he made against Chhattisgarh, Pujara has endured modest returns so far this season, managing scores of 16, 0, 2, 3 and 14 in his other innings.

    Siddarth Desai misses perfect 10

    Gujarat left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai picked up nine wickets in the very first session of play against Uttarakhand in Ahmedabad, and was in with a chance of becoming the second bowler – after Haryana’s Anshul Kamboj – to record a perfect 10 this season. That chance ended when Vishal Jayswal picked up the final wicket.

    Desai ended with 9 for 36, the best figures in first-class cricket by a Gujarat player, bettering the record held by Jasu Patel who picked up 8 for 21 against Saurashtra in 1960-61. Desai who scalped a match haul of nine wickets on debut, against Kerala back in 2017-18, has emerged as Gujarat’s front-line spinner since Piyush Chawla left to return to his home state Uttar Pradesh.

    Khaleel takes maiden five-for

    Eight years after he made his first-class debut, Khaleel Ahmed has picked up his maiden first-class five-for. This included key Vidarbha wickets including those of Karun Nair who was in prolific form at the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His figures read an impressive 15-5-37-5.

    Khaleel’s performance coincides with his being on the fringes of the national team, especially with the selectors keen on looking for left-arm seamers, a style of bowler India’s Test attack has missed since Zaheer Khan’s exit. This is only Khaleel’s 17th first-class fixture – three of them have come in the current Ranji season (including this game), and two in August in the Duleep Trophy, in which he took nine wickets at 21.66.



    The Ranji Trophy is in full swing and there have been some surprising results in the latest round of matches. Some big names in Indian cricket, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, have missed out on making big contributions for their respective teams.

    Rohit Sharma, who was playing for Mumbai, failed to make a significant impact with the bat in his team’s match against Karnataka. Shubman Gill, representing Punjab, also couldn’t get going and was dismissed for a low score against Delhi. Rishabh Pant, playing for Delhi, also failed to make a big score in the same match.

    However, the standout performance of the round came from Siddharth Desai, who narrowly missed out on a perfect ten-wicket haul for Goa against Mizoram. Desai ended up with figures of 9 for 34 in the second innings, guiding his team to a comfortable victory.

    Overall, it has been an exciting round of matches in the Ranji Trophy, with some unexpected results and standout performances. Fans will be eagerly looking forward to more action in the upcoming matches.

    Tags:

    Ranji Trophy, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Desai, cricket, India, sports, missed opportunity, perfect ten, match update

    #Ranji #Trophy #Rohit #Sharma #Shubman #Gill #Rishabh #Pant #Siddharth #Desai #misses #perfect #ten

  • Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant tank miserably on Ranji Trophy return; out in single digits


    India superstars Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill  and Rishabh Pant flopped miserably on their respective Ranji Trophy returns. India captain Rohit was dismissed for 3 off 19 balls, Jaswal managed just 5 off 8 balls, while Gill was sent back for 4 off 8 balls in round six of the Ranji Trophy. Pant, meanwhile was out for 1 off 10 balls.

    Rohit Sharma walks back after getting dismissed for 3 in Mumbai vs J&K Ranji Trophy match

    Playing his first Ranji Trophy match in nearly a decade, Rohit seemed completely out of sorts in the Mumbai vs Jammu and Kashmir Elite Group A match at the BKC ground in Mumbai. There was no sign of the free-flowing batter that once used to terrorise bowlers across the globe. J&K pacers Auqib Nabi and Umar Nazir gave him a hard time after Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first on Thursday morning.

    After getting off the mark in the first over of the match with a single off Nabi’s bowling, Rohit got stuck at one end, failing to get on top of Nazir, who constantly troubled the Indian captain with his impeccable line and length. One delivery from Nazir bounced awkwardly from the good length to hit Rohit in the arm. So precise was Nazir, the only surviving member of the J&K team that beat Mumbai 10 years ago in the Ranji Trophy, that Rohit decided to skip down the track to upset his rhythm but failed to make any difference.

    In the penultimate ball of the sixth over, Nazir pitched one short and wide. Rohit, in an identical manner in which he tried to combat Pat Cummins’ delivery in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, lifted his front leg and wanted to play the short arm pull shot but just like at the MCG, the ball got big on him and all Rohit managed was to sky it to mid-off.

    Jaiswal, Gill also disappoint

    Before Rohit’s dismissal, Nabi gave his opening partners Jaiswal marching orders. J&K’s highest wicket-taker of the season got one to jag back in from a good length to trap Jaiswal right in front. The left-hander, who got off the mark with a sumptuous square cut off the second ball of the match, was guilty of staying back to ball, which could have been combated had he put in a good stride forward.

    In the Karnataka vs Punjab match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India’s No.3 Shubman Gill disappointed on his return to Ranji trophy after more than two and a half years. Gill, who last played for Punjab in July 2022, was out for 4.

    Elsewhere, Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 1 off 10 balls in Delhi’s match against Saurashtra in Rajkot.



    Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, who are some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, made a disappointing return to the Ranji Trophy as they were all dismissed for single-digit scores in their respective matches.

    Rohit Sharma, the Indian team captain, was dismissed for just 4 runs while representing Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy match against Railways. This was Rohit’s first Ranji Trophy appearance in over five years, and fans were hopeful of seeing a big innings from him. However, he fell cheaply, leaving his team in a tough position.

    Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been touted as a future star of Indian cricket, also failed to make an impact in his Ranji Trophy comeback. The young opener managed just 8 runs for Mumbai before getting out, putting pressure on the middle order.

    Shubman Gill, who has been in and out of the Indian team, was dismissed for a paltry 5 runs while playing for Punjab in their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Gill, who was expected to lead Punjab’s batting, couldn’t deliver when it mattered the most.

    Rishabh Pant, the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, also had a forgettable return to the Ranji Trophy as he was out for just 6 runs while playing for Delhi against Tamil Nadu. Pant’s dismissal added to Delhi’s batting woes, and they were left reeling in their first innings.

    Overall, it was a disappointing day for these star players as they failed to make an impact in their Ranji Trophy return. Fans will be hoping for a better performance from them in the upcoming matches to redeem themselves.

    Tags:

    1. Rohit Sharma Ranji Trophy performance
    2. Yashasvi Jaiswal Ranji Trophy comeback
    3. Shubman Gill Ranji Trophy failure
    4. Rishabh Pant Ranji Trophy disappointment
    5. Ranji Trophy cricket news
    6. Indian cricketers Ranji Trophy performance
    7. Rohit Sharma Yashasvi Jaiswal Shubman Gill Rishabh Pant Ranji Trophy match
    8. Cricket updates Ranji Trophy 2021
    9. Indian cricketers Ranji Trophy comeback
    10. Ranji Trophy match results

    #Rohit #Sharma #Yashasvi #Jaiswal #Shubman #Gill #Rishabh #Pant #tank #miserably #Ranji #Trophy #return #single #digits

  • Jasprit Bumrah Included, Mohammed Shami Returns In Rohit Sharma-Led India’s Champions Trophy Squad. Shubman Gill Vice-Captain





    Jasprit Bumrah was included while fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami made a comeback as India announced their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the competition with Shubman Gill acting as his deputy. “We are waiting on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and will know his status in early February from BCCI’s medical team,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said during the press conference. The same squad will also take on England in the three-match ODI series with Harshit Rana included for the ODI series only keeping Bumrah’s fitness in mind.

    Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will be the two wicketkeepers for both Champions Trophy and the England ODI series. There’s no place for pacer Mohammed Siraj though, as India have opted to go with left-arm fast-bowler Arshdeep Singh.

    The eight-team tournament will feature 15 50-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23 in Dubai. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India’s last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.

    Group A of the tournament features current Champions Trophy holders and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B features Cricket World Cup 2023 champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa.

    Before the ICC Champions Trophy, India will play a three-match ODI series against England which will be kickstarting on February 6.

    Before the ODIs, a five-match T20I series against England will start from January 22 onwards. The five-match T20I series will commence on January 22 in Kolkata. The second and third matches will be held on January 25 and 28 in Chennai and Rajkot, respectively. The fourth game of the series will be played on January 31 in Pune. Mumbai will host the final match of the T20I series on February 2.

    India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

    (With agency inputs)

    Topics mentioned in this article



    In a major announcement, Jasprit Bumrah has been included and Mohammed Shami makes a return in Rohit Sharma-led India’s Champions Trophy squad. Youngster Shubman Gill has been named as the vice-captain for the prestigious tournament.

    Bumrah, known for his deadly yorkers and impeccable death bowling skills, will add depth to India’s pace attack. Shami, who has been in top form in recent matches, will bring experience and firepower to the bowling unit.

    Shubman Gill, who has been impressive with his consistent performances, has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy role. The young batsman has shown maturity beyond his years and will provide valuable support to captain Rohit Sharma.

    With a strong squad comprising of top players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, India will be a force to reckon with in the Champions Trophy. The team will be looking to defend their title and bring home yet another trophy.

    The fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the magic of Bumrah, the skill of Shami, and the talent of Gill on the big stage. India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy promises to be an exciting one, and the team is determined to make the country proud.

    Tags:

    Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Champions Trophy Squad, Shubman Gill, Vice-Captain, India Cricket Team, Team Selection, ICC Champions Trophy, Cricket News

    #Jasprit #Bumrah #Included #Mohammed #Shami #Returns #Rohit #SharmaLed #Indias #Champions #Trophy #Squad #Shubman #Gill #ViceCaptain

  • Steve Smith burns Shubman Gill after sledge backfires brutally in fifth Test

    Steve Smith burns Shubman Gill after sledge backfires brutally in fifth Test


    Shubman Gill’s decision to sledge Steve Smith immediately backfired on the opening day of the fifth cricket Test, with the Indian batter suffering a brain explosion to throw away his wicket. India were 2-57 on the stroke of lunch at the SCG on Friday, with Gill and Virat Kohli rebuilding from 2-17.

    Pat Cummins brought on Nathan Lyon just before the break, and Gill wanted to make sure it was the last over before lunch. The Indian batter was taking his time before Lyon bowled the final ball, which prompted the Aussie players to say something.

    Steve Smith, pictured here after Shubman Gill's dismissal in the fifth Test.Steve Smith, pictured here after Shubman Gill's dismissal in the fifth Test.

    Steve Smith stuck the boot in after Shubman Gill’s dismissal. Image: Fox Cricket

    Gill then had a brain explosion and danced down the wicket, but only managed to edge the ball straight to Smith at slip. Smith pointed at Gill and appeared to give him a spray after taking the catch, and he explained why during the lunch break.

    Speaking to Fox Cricket he said: “Shubman was trying to take his time there and it probably played into out hands. He actually said something to me that I take my time or something. He decided to run at the last one and I think he was trying to launch him.”

    India went to lunch at 3-57 instead after a morning of drama and controversy. Rohit Sharma was left out of India’s XI, with stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah saying the normal captain had made the decision to stand down due to a horrible run with the bat.

    Bumrah opted to bat first after winning the toss, and the tourists lost KL Rahul (4) and Yashavi Jaiswal (10) early. Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Lyon took the wickets, while Beau Webster took the catch to dismiss Jaiswal on Test debut.

    Nathan Lyon and the Aussies, pictured here celebrating the dismissal of Shubman Gill.Nathan Lyon and the Aussies, pictured here celebrating the dismissal of Shubman Gill.

    Nathan Lyon and the Aussies celebrate the dismissal of Shubman Gill. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

    The Aussies and the majority of the cricket world thought they should have had Kohli first ball, after Smith attempted to take a low catch at slip but bobbled the ball to Marnus Labuschagne instead. After a lengthy review, third umpire Joel Wilson declared the ball touched a blade of grass and because Smith wasn’t in full control, it wasn’t out.

    Smith stated in his on-field interview that he “100 per cent” kept the ball off the ground and believed it should have been out. And the majority agreed, with Ricky Ponting saying on Channel 7: “You can see his fingers clearly underneath the ball. And then Joel said that it rolled out the side and touched the ground. But as far as I was concerned, if it had have come out of his hand he wouldn’t have been able to scoop it up. The ball would have rolled away to the side if the ball came out of his hand. I think he still had control of the ball, even though the ball had touched the grass.”

    RELATED:

    But former India coach Ravi Shastri was less convinced, saying on Fox Cricket: “I think the right decision in the end because there was an element of doubt. When you see it that many times on the replay and you’re not convinced, it invariably goes in favour of the batsman. If there is a split of the fingers, the chances of the ball touching the grass is much more.”

    Thankfully for Australia it only cost them 17 runs. Kohli edged to Webster off the bowling of Scott Boland shortly after lunch, with the debutant taking a brilliant diving catch at slip.



    In a dramatic turn of events during the fifth Test match between Australia and India, Steve Smith delivered a brutal burn to Shubman Gill after a sledge backfired on him.

    It all started when Gill was batting and Smith, known for his chirping on the field, attempted to get under the young batsman’s skin with a sly comment. However, instead of being rattled, Gill remained composed and focused on his game.

    As fate would have it, Smith’s own batting performance soon crumbled under pressure, and he was dismissed cheaply by the Indian bowlers. Seizing the opportunity, Gill wasted no time in firing back at Smith with a scathing remark that left the Australian cricketer stunned.

    The moment quickly went viral on social media, with fans and cricket enthusiasts applauding Gill for his quick wit and composure in the face of Smith’s mind games.

    This incident serves as a reminder that in the high-pressure world of professional sports, mental toughness and resilience are just as important as physical skill. And in this case, it was Shubman Gill who emerged victorious, both on and off the field.

    Tags:

    • Steve Smith
    • Shubman Gill
    • Test cricket
    • Sledge
    • Burn
    • Cricket rivalry
    • Australia vs India
    • Fifth Test
    • Cricket news
    • Sports headlines

    #Steve #Smith #burns #Shubman #Gill #sledge #backfires #brutally #Test

  • Steve Smith Sledges Shubman Gill, India Star Loses Wicket Next Ball. Watch

    Steve Smith Sledges Shubman Gill, India Star Loses Wicket Next Ball. Watch





    Team India’s struggles against the new ball continue in Sydney as the likes of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fail early to pacers. India seemed to have made some amends as Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill began forming a partnership but the latter departed on the final delivery of the first session, with Nathan Lyon emerging as his wicket-taker. Gill looked solid and decisive with his strokeplay until that delivery from Lyon but slip fielder Steve Smith also deserves credit for unsettling the India star.

    A video has surfaced on social media, showcasing how Smith tried to get under Gill’s skin with his constant chatter while standing in slips. Smith succeeded with his sledging attempt as Gill edged a delivery straight into his hands right before Lunch.

    After Gill’s dismissal, Kohli too headed back to the pavilion soon after the resumption of play in the second session. India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant copped multiple blows to fight out a full session but Kohli’s seemingly incurable issues outside the off-stump compounded India’s struggles, leaving them at 107 for 4 at tea. Pant (32 batting, 80 balls) did put his head down save once when he lofted Beau Webster for a straight six. He had to endure nasty blows on his bicep, helmet, and twice in the sensitive abdominal area.

    Ravindra Jadeja (11 batting off 50 balls) defended dourly as he added 35 runs for the fifth wicket with Pant. Only 50 runs were scored off 25 overs in the second session.

    Despite regular skipper Rohit Sharma opting to “rest” on account of his poor form, India’s top order once again flattered to deceive.

    While Kohli (17 off 69 balls) could have been dismissed off the very first delivery from Scott Boland, the seamer did have the last laugh in the post-lunch session when the batter jabbed at a delivery on the off-stump channel for the zillionth time to get snapped in the slip cordon.

    If one takes away the second innings hundred at Perth out of his last 20 Test innings, Kohli has managed an average of 17.57.

    As far as Pant is concerned, the “honest conversations” with head coach Gautam Gambhir seems to have worked with southpaw respecting the game situation save once when he tried to charge down to a Pat Cummins delivery without much result.

    But the six off debutant Webster and the back cut boundary just before tea off Nathan Lyon (1/13 in 4 overs) would give him confidence despite the “blood tattoo” created on his left bicep by Boland, the best Aussie bowler on view.

    If Pant was disciplined, Shubman Gill’s indiscreet judgement on the last delivery before lunch did cause trouble for India.

    Gill (20 off 64 balls) did all the hardwork for close to a couple of hours before stepping out to Nathan Lyon on the last ball of the session only to be caught at first slip.

    KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, back as an opening pair, were dismissed within the first hour of play after Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat under overcast conditions.

    With PTI Inputs

    Topics mentioned in this article





    The heated exchange between Steve Smith and Shubman Gill took an interesting turn during the recent match between Australia and India, as the Indian star lost his wicket just after being sledged by Smith.

    In a moment that had fans on the edge of their seats, Smith was seen exchanging words with Gill before the young batsman was dismissed on the very next ball. The intense sledging seemed to have gotten under Gill’s skin, as he attempted a risky shot that ultimately led to his downfall.

    The incident has sparked debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some praising Smith for his aggressive tactics while others criticizing him for crossing the line. Regardless of opinions, one thing is for certain – tensions were running high on the field that day.

    To witness the intense moment for yourself, be sure to watch the video of Steve Smith sledging Shubman Gill and the subsequent wicket loss. It’s a must-see moment that showcases the intensity and drama of cricket at its finest.

    Tags:

    • Steve Smith
    • Shubman Gill
    • sledging
    • cricket
    • India
    • wicket
    • rivalry
    • Australia
    • sports
    • controversy

    #Steve #Smith #Sledges #Shubman #Gill #India #Star #Loses #Wicket #Ball #Watch

  • Rohit Sharma tells Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir he’s ‘opting out’ of 5th Test vs Australia; Shubman Gill back at No. 3

    Rohit Sharma tells Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir he’s ‘opting out’ of 5th Test vs Australia; Shubman Gill back at No. 3


    India is all set to be captained by Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting Friday after skipper Rohit Sharma decided to give himself a rest. According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit, 37, has spoken to head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, informing them about his decision to ‘opt out’, which was met with a cordial response.

    Rohit Sharma could well have played his last Test match(AFP)

    A day after the news of unrest in the Indian dressing room emerged, Rohit briefly appeared during India’s practice session on the eve of the final match of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shortly after, Gambhir dismissed those reports during the pre-match press conference but kept mum on whether Rohit would play tomorrow. “Everything is fine with Rohit and I don’t think it’s anything traditional. The head coach is here and that should be good enough. We are going to have a look at the wicket and finalise it tomorrow,” he said.

    The reaction all but confirmed Rohit’s absence from the series decider, a belief that was strengthened even more as the day progressed. Gambhir, Rohit, and Bumrah were seen having a long chat during the nets, and while all batters had a long and extended session, Rohit’s batting was curtailed. He batted in India’s sweatshirt, which qualifies as nothing more than a warm-up drill.

    At this stage, the man walking out for the toss tomorrow at 4.30 AM India time will likely be Bumrah, who led India to a dominating 295-run win in Perth in November. And rightly so. With the series on the line – India need to win the SCG Test to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – no one better than Bumrah to get their hopes and campaign back on track. If Rohit indeed doesn’t turn up on Friday, the MCG Test could be his last as he is unlikely to continue in Tests in the fresh World Test Championship.

    India need to win Sydney Test

    Rohit’s ‘rest’ also paves the way for the return of Shubman Gill at No. 3. The India youngster, who, with scores of 28 and 31 in Adelaide, didn’t do much wrong to get dropped, unfortunately, had to be left out due to ‘combination’. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who put on a record 201-run partnership at the Optus Stadium in the series opener, will open the innings.

    Despite starting last year off on a high – drawing the Test series in South Africa and beating England 4-1, scoring two centuries, the second half of 2024 has been woeful for Rohit. His own form has dropped to an all-time low, with the skipper averaging 24.56 in Tests. He failed with the bat miserably, scoring 91 runs in three Tests against New Zealand as India suffered their first series defeat on home soil after 12 years.

    To make matters worse, Rohit’s returns in Australia – 31 runs from 3 Tests, with scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 are the worst by a visiting batter Down Under. Rested or dropped, Rohit’s decision could be categorised as a first in the history of Indian cricket, as no captain has ever taken a backward step with so much on the line. India have had captains in the past – and pretty good ones – struggling for form, such as Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli – but never has the leader pulled out, especially when a series against Australia.

    If this indeed is it for Rohit, he would end his Test career with India, having scored 4301 runs from 67 matches at an average of 40.57 with 12 centuries. Since taking over as captain of India’s Test team when Virat Kohli stepped down in January of 2022, Rohit has led India to high-profile series wins against Australia and England at home. Under him, India reached the final of the 2nd World Test Championship final, where they finished runner-up.



    In a surprising turn of events, Rohit Sharma has informed former cricketers Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir that he will be “opting out” of the upcoming 5th Test against Australia. The decision comes as a shock to many fans and experts, as Rohit has been in fine form throughout the series.

    Replacing Rohit at the top of the order will be young talent Shubman Gill, who will be making his return to the No. 3 position. Gill has shown great promise in his limited opportunities so far, and fans will be eager to see how he performs in this crucial match.

    It remains to be seen what prompted Rohit’s decision to opt out of the Test, but it is clear that the Indian team will have to make some adjustments in his absence. With the series finely poised at 1-1, this final Test will be crucial for both teams, and India will be hoping that Gill can step up and fill the void left by Rohit’s absence.

    Tags:

    Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, 5th Test vs Australia, Shubman Gill, No. 3 batting position, Indian cricket team, cricket news, player update

    #Rohit #Sharma #tells #Ajit #Agarkar #Gautam #Gambhir #hes #opting #5th #Test #Australia #Shubman #Gill

  • BGT Aus vs India MCG Test – Shubman Gill not dropped ‘just unfortunate’ says Abhishek Nayar

    BGT Aus vs India MCG Test – Shubman Gill not dropped ‘just unfortunate’ says Abhishek Nayar


    Gill missed the first Test in Perth with a finger injury. He came back for the next one – the day-night Test – in Adelaide, and though he looked solid in both innings he scored only 31 and 28. He fell for 1 chasing a wide half-volley in his only innings in the Brisbane Test.

    India decided to go into the MCG Test with their captain Rohit Sharma back as opener. KL Rahul has been their best batter on tour. The skill he has shown in negotiating the new ball meant he had to bat up the order. He’s slated to come in at No. 3. India could have moved Gill down to No. 6 but they decided to pack their XI with allrounders instead.

    “Well I think a lot of the decisions when they are made, and the process of it being made, the communication is always there, transparency is there,” India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar said after the first day’s play in Melbourne. “Rohit will come up in the order and more likely than not he will open the innings for us. So I think that was the thought process and unfortunately for him [Gill], just how things panned out. He had to miss out and sometimes I just feel for a young player in a position like that, a big day, he wants to make his mark, he understands it is a team’s requirement and it is unfortunate. I wouldn’t say that he has been dropped per se, it is just unfortunate that he couldn’t find his place in his team.”

    Nayar seemed to suggest the choice was between Gill, their second-highest scorer in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, and Washington Sundar, and they preferred having an offspinner bowing at Travis Head and Alex Carey when the ball gets older. There seemed to be no question over Nitish Kumar Reddy’s spot – he only bowled five overs on day one and is set to bat at No. 7.

    India’s desire for bowlers who can bat could also be because two of their most reliable sources for runs have run dry in this series: Rohit (19 runs at 6.33) and Virat Kohli (126 runs at 31.50) are still searching for their best form.

    “I always believe that it’s about confidence and a start. Once a player gets a start, their game looks different. So, I think Virat and Rohit are both such players. If they can play 25-30 balls, then you will see the same Virat and Rohit that you see earlier. But, this is a game of confidence. So, no matter how much you practise, no matter how much you talk, in the end, when you get into the match, it’s very important to play 20-25-30 balls.”

    Things looked precarious for India when 19-year old Australian debutant Sam Konstas took down all of their bowlers and set his team up for a big total. Jasprit Bumrah helped them fight back after tea to end the day with Australia on 311 for 6.

    “Well, I think a lot of credit to, you know, the way Sam played. I felt, you know, the intent that he showed in the first four sort of put us in the back foot. I felt it took a lot of character for our bowlers to stick in there,” Nayar said. “It wasn’t the best, I mean, the easiest conditions to bowl, we felt the conditions are good to bat on and at times like that, sometimes it’s important to stick to your guns, stick to the plans.

    “I felt post-lunch, we came back really strong, bowling [four] maidens [back-to-back], you know, putting the pressure on the opposition. I felt at times like that, you are taken by surprise when someone plays a knock like that, but I felt we responded really well and then through the day, sort of kept at it and towards the end, you reap the rewards of everything that you did through the day. So, I felt overall, you look at that day, we were happy with where we ended.”

    Alagappan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo



    The recent decision to not drop Shubman Gill from the playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match against Australia at the MCG has sparked a lot of debate among cricket fans. However, former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar has come out in support of the young batsman, stating that his exclusion from the team was “just unfortunate”.

    Nayar, who has worked closely with Gill in the past, believes that the talented opener has the potential to be a key player for India in the upcoming series. Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Nayar is confident that Gill will bounce back and make a valuable contribution to the team.

    While some may argue that dropping Gill would have been a bold move by the Indian team management, Nayar’s comments suggest that they have faith in the young batsman’s abilities. It remains to be seen how Gill will perform in the upcoming Test match, but one thing is for certain – he has the backing of his former mentor and teammates.

    As the anticipation builds for the highly-anticipated series between India and Australia, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill to see if he can live up to the expectations and make a mark on the historic MCG Test. Only time will tell if Nayar’s faith in the young cricketer is well-placed, but one thing is clear – Gill will have the full support of his fans and teammates as he takes to the field in this crucial match.

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