Friday, November 22
Varun Chakravarthy's five-wicket haul put India on the verge of victory in the second T20I against South Africa, but Tristan Stubbs's unbeaten 47 guided the Proteas to a series-leveling win. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali criticized Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's decision to not utilize Axar Patel for more overs, citing it as a key factor in the loss.
India's cricket team, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, is determined to secure a series victory against Australia in their upcoming five-match Test tour. Despite facing challenges such as Rohit Sharma's potential absence and Virat Kohli's recent form slump, the team remains focused on their goal of winning the series, rather than solely aiming for World Test Championship qualification.
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy made history on Sunday, claiming 5/17 against South Africa in the second T20I. This equals the best figures by an Indian spinner in T20Is, a record he now shares with Kuldeep Yadav. Chakravarthy's exceptional spell helped restrict South Africa to a moderate total and propelled India closer to a series victory.
Veteran Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies due to a fractured finger. The injury occurred during the first ODI against Afghanistan. His participation in the subsequent ODI series against the West Indies remains uncertain.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly unwilling to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to political tensions. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali suggests that other cricket boards may also decline to participate, potentially influenced by the financial clout of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has dismissed reports suggesting that the BCCI is considering separate coaches for red and white-ball cricket if India performs poorly in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chopra believes the rumors are baseless and that it's too early to make changes under head coach Gautam Gambhir's leadership.
Indian cricketer Sanju Samson etched his name in T20 history for an unfortunate record during the second T20I against South Africa. He became the first Indian player to be dismissed for a duck four times in a calendar year in T20 internationals. This came after a streak of two centuries, highlighting his fluctuating form.
The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a crucial five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, starting November 22nd. With their World Test Championship final hopes hanging in the balance, India aims to secure at least four wins to stay in contention.
