File photo of Australia head coach Andrew McDonald.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

In the season to be jolly, Sam Konstas has found his Christmas gift. A Test debut for Australia in a Boxing Day Test Melbourne is a huge step and the host’s coach Andrew McDonald confirmed to the media that the 19-year-old will pair up with Usman Khawaja atop the order.

Explaining the rationale behind picking Konstas in Melbourne on Tuesday (December 24, 2024), McDonald said: “We had said leading into the summer that age was no barrier. What he (Konstas) has shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back onto the opponents. He gets his opportunity and we are really excited for him. Boxing day, the biggest stage (Melbourne Cricket Ground), you might as well get that one out of the way early. We want to throw a different challenge at India. We believe Nathan (McSweeney) is good enough for Test level but we weren’t sure about how the top order was functioning.”

The Australian coach also felt that Travis Head, nursing a niggle, is good to play: “I am pretty confident he will play. He looked good with the bat in hand. His skills are in good order. He had a small strain in the quadriceps but he has been able to do his running. I think he will be fully functional for the game.”

With the series level at 1-1 and the fourth Test all set to start on Thursday (December 26, 2024), McDonald offered his analysis: “Every game starts afresh. Both teams have similar challenges at the moment. Both bowling attacks have been on top and I think this wicket potentially might offer the batters a little bit more as the game stretches. But yeah I am not a big believer in history repeating itself so it starts afresh.”

The coach also backed Khawaja: “Usman is not a concern. I think the way he is preparing, the runs will come. Batting obviously in recent times has been quite difficult with ball dominating bats. Good players always return to the runs and I am sure that will be the case over the next couple of Tests.”

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah are seen during the inspection of the pitch at MCG in Melbourne on December 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

In a tiny press-conference hall located in the basement of the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rohit Sharma kept nodding his head. Even before the correspondent had finished enquiring about his left knee, the Indian skipper said: “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

The batter had suffered a blow during Sunday’s training but on Tuesday (December 24, 2024), Rohit was in good shape. If there was clarity on this issue, he preferred to keep the scribes guessing when asked about whether he will stay in the middle-order: “Who bats where is something that we need to figure out within ourselves. It’s not a thing which I should be discussing at every press-conference.”

Stepping into the fourth Test with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series level at 1-1, the visiting captain said: “We played some really good cricket and we have been fortunate as well. Nobody wants to give up until the last over and this is an attitude we have carried for a long time. Obviously in Adelaide (second Test), we didn’t play well. And then at Brisbane, only 180 or 190 overs were bowled. After three Tests, if I had to look at it as one-all, it is a fair reflection.”

Looking ahead at the last two contests, starting with the fourth Test in Melbourne from Thursday (December 26, 2024), Rohit said: “We want to break it down to just Melbourne and focus on what we can achieve here. Bat well, bowl well, and take some good catches.”

The skipper was quick to back Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj: “Jaiswal has already shown what he is capable of, and with that kind of a guy, you don’t want to tamper with his mindset.” And on Gill, Rohit added: “These tours can be challenging and it is not easy to put up big runs. Gill understands his batting well, just got to make sure that when you get those 30s and 40s, you try and get a big one.”

With Siraj being in Jasprit Bumrah’s shadow, there have been the odd query about the former’s relevance, and Rohit was quick to counter: “Siraj has really shown great attitude on this tour.” As for Pant, the skipper said: “He has a good record in Australia and just after three Tests here, it is not right to judge.”

When asked if he has any advice to a ‘modern-day great’ like Virat Kohli, Rohit quipped: “Modern day greats will figure their own path.” Later when probed about including spinner Tanush Kotian, Rohit clarified: “Tanush was here a month back and Kuldeep (Yadav) I don’t think has a visa. Jokes apart, we wanted somebody here quickly. Tanush has done well in the last two years and we wanted a back-up in case we need two spinners here or in Sydney.”

Rohit also praised Bumrah: “He knows exactly what he is doing. The impact he has had on this series is massive.” And soon it was time for the skipper to join his teammates at training.

With skipper Rohit Sharma struggling to decipher a way to score runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India coach Ravi Shastri says the stylish batter should go in with a clear mindset, change his tactics, and attack the bowlers.
| Photo Credit: AP

With skipper Rohit Sharma struggling to decipher a way to score runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India coach Ravi Shastri says the stylish batter should go in with a clear mindset, change his tactics, and attack the bowlers.

Rohit missed the opening Test Down Under to be with his family for the birth of his second child. He was expected to reclaim the opener’s spot but KL Rahul’s impressive 77 in India’s win at Perth prompted a rejig of the batting order with Rohit moving down to No.6.

The change though has not been fruitful for Rohit as he has managed 10, 3 and 6 runs in the last three innings, while Rahul has encashed on the opportunity by notching up a fine 84 in the first innings at Brisbane in the third Test.

“I would like to see Rohit Sharma, his tactics change a bit because he can still be extremely dangerous at that number (six),” Shastri opined on ICC Review.

“I think he’s got to be very clear in his mindset to go out there and take the attack to the opposition and not worry about anything else,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

Shastri felt Rohit should shun the defensive mindset.

“The last thing you want is him to be in two minds whether to defend or attack. In his case, it should be attack. He picks up length quickly, he should take the opposition on at that number.

“Because if he gets away in the first 10-15 minutes, in any way, he’s not got past that 15-20 minutes, half an hour. So why don’t you play a natural game, go and take the attack to the opposition and take it from there?” Shastri felt it’s the best way for Rohit to get back into form and win games for India, adding that the best No.6 batters in the world are those who have the ability to counter-attack.

“I think that is his best way of not just coming back into form, winning a game for India as well. Because that number is a crucial number.”

“The best No.6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack. They read the situation well. Yes, if a lot of wickets have fallen, maybe for a little while. You might have to be circumspect, but the intent has to be far sooner than later.

“Especially when you have that kind of ability and especially when you open the batting for India and you have all the shots for Australian conditions.” Rohit had made his Test debut in 2013 at No. 6 position, marking the occasion with a century.

Shastri backed Rahul to retain the opener’s slot in the fourth Test following his two half-centuries so far in the five-Test series.

“I would have asked him (Rohit) to open in the last Test match (Brisbane) but then the way Rahul has batted, he was a joy to watch and the way he’s batting, I believe he struck a purple patch,” Shastri said.

“It could be a position he might just want to keep and enhance the way he’s playing because his technique was faultless,” said Shastri.

The former India captain said Rahul was currently at the top of his game and his confidence level too was very high.

“The way he left the ball, the way he allowed the ball to come onto the bat, some of his cover drives were as good as any played by anyone in world cricket at the moment. And so I think when there’s that much confidence there, you know, let it be.”

Australia’s Travis Head celebrates his century on day 2 of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide on December 7, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

After a forgettable day for India at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday (December 7, 2024), bowling coach Morne Morkel turned up at the press conference for some fire-fighting. With a calm voice and a diplomat’s grace, the South African deftly handled the queries.

The first volley was about Mohammed Siraj’s needless send-off to centurion Travis Head and Morkel was ready: “We all know Siraj puts everything on the line, he is the kind of bowler, who will run in all day. There are some moments in a game. But I am sure off the field they will be the best of mates.”

Asked about India’s bowling in the second Test so far, Morkel offered his analysis: “Yesterday (Friday), the lines and lengths could have been better, there was some extra swing too. Thought they did well today (Saturday) morning before Travis Head played his innings. He put the bowlers under pressure but that’s the way he plays.”

And about Rishabh Pant’s approach at the batting crease, the bowling coach said: “Just like Head, this is the way Pant bats, that’s his approach. Always puts the bowlers under pressure. Seeing the scoreboard you won’t expect the kind of shot he played from the first ball but that is how he is.” Morkel also backed seamer Harshit Rana, who had a rough outing.

Australia’s Beau Webster has been included in the Australian squad for the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India in Adelaide.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Beau Webster has been added to the Australia squad for the second Test against India at Adelaide from December 6.

The all-rounder from Tasmania, has been drafted in as cover for Mitchell Marsh, who was injured during the first Test at Perth which the host lost by 295 runs.

While the Australian team-management have hinted at sticking with the same unit, Marsh’s fitness concern may force a change.

Webster, also a right-hand pace all-rounder like Marsh, has been the stand out performer in the Sheffield Shield over the past two years. The 30-year-old has collected 1788 runs including five hundreds and nine fifties.

He also impressed in the A series against India earlier this month, becoming the the second highest run-getter for Australia A behind compatriot Nathan McSweeney, collecting 145 runs across four innings at an impressive average of 72.50.

With the ball, he became the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Brendan Doggett both taking seven scalps each.

“To get a few runs and wickets (for Australia A) was pleasing against a strong Indian side,” Webster was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au ahead of the announcement on Thursday.

“Any time you’re playing ‘A’ cricket, it’s the one step below Test level, so it does hold you in good stead. To get the call from ‘‘Bails’‘ (men’s selection chair George Bailey) at the end of the NSW game was a really proud moment and I can’t wait to get stuck in.” Webster will join the Australian squad in Adelaide next week.

“There’s a tight turnaround between the Adelaide and Gabba Test so I think (I’m there) just to have some cover there for that middle-order role, whichever way they go,” Webster added.

(With inputs from PTI)

Harshit Rana of India celebrates taking the wicket of Nathan Lyon of Australia for 5 runs during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Thursday night was a difficult one for Harshit Rana. Having been told about his imminent Test debut, the Delhi speedster tossed and turned as excitement and nerves equally kept him awake for a long time. But when he did turn up in the India whites on Friday in Perth at the Optus Stadium, it became the turn of the Aussie batters to have sleepless nights.

Travis Head, his first Test wicket, was the result of an incredible delivery that angled in and straightened just a shade to clip off-stump. “The idea was to attack the stumps and I got the wicket. In the team-meeting we had made some plans and I stuck to it,” Harshit told the media on Saturday (November 23, 2024). And as for an inkling about his debut? “I got to know on the previous day of the Test and I did cry after making a speech in the meeting,” he said.

The 22-year-old India pacer praised the leadership skills of Jasprit Bumrah and also the batting effort of Yashasvi Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul. “Once Bumrah bhai bowled like that, it also inspires you to do the same and you are bound to get wickets. Rahul and Jaiswal worked extremely hard on this pitch and it inspired all of us,” Harshit said.

Still in awe over his Test debut, Harshit quipped: “This is a big dream for me, to play for India. Six years ago, my father and I used to wake up early to watch cricket in Australia through television and now I am here, this is huge for me. The camp before this match really helped me adjust to the conditions.”

The first Test’s second day witnessed some drama on Saturday. And it centred on some banter between Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana, which the latter said was done with a sense of humour. “We are very good friends and in the IPL I play with him, so I have a very good bonding with him. This keeps happening, it is nothing major, we just exchanged a few words,” Harshit said.

Australian players walk back to the pavilion after the end of day 2 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth on November 23, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

After a hard day for his wards on the field, Australian coach Andrew McDonald discussed his team’s prospects with the media in the current first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday (November 23, 2024).

Excerpts..

Playing arena

“The wicket has changed considerably and if you look at the seam and swing, it was down compared to yesterday (Friday). (K.L.) Rahul and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal played extremely well. Our guys got the balls in the right areas, and there were some play-and-misses, so anything can happen if you get some edges on that, and it could have been a totally different day (against India).”

Mood and strategy

“The morale is always good, it’s a pretty level team, whether it’s a good day or a bad day. There’s no doubt we are clearly well behind the game at this stage, but that’s not to say that tomorrow can’t change very quickly. Test cricket ebbs and flows. It’s about 20 odd overs to the second new ball, we have got to work out a way to navigate through a few batters before that second new ball arrives and that could be our entry point.”

First day nerves

“No doubt both teams would have had some nerves leading into a big series, so there might have been some errors. I think as a batting unit when you get a look at a wicket and then obviously your bowlers go about their work, and you get a second opportunity, it looks a bit different in terms of your mindset. You know what to expect and you can work from there.”

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s reputation precedes him and he will be a force to reckon with during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Dubbed as the bowler “impossible to face” by swashbuckling Australian batter Travis Head and a “cat burglar” by former tearaway pacer Brett Lee, Jasprit Bumrah’s reputation precedes him.

The India pacer, who is set to captain India in the first Test of the five-match series starting in Perth on Friday (November 22, 2024), has left both past and present Australian players in awe of his skill and threat.

Not since the golden era of the West Indies in the 1970s has a touring pace bowler struck fear into the hearts of Australians as much as Bumrah, according to the local media here.

On his two previous Test tours of Australia, the 30-year-old Bumrah, who is set to captain India in the first Test of the five-match series in Perth from Friday (November 22, 2024), took 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, including a match-winning 6/33 during the 2018 Boxing Day Test.

Since the start of the 20th century, only two touring bowlers have taken more wickets in Australia at a lower average — Richard Hadlee and Curtly Ambrose.

Head, Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith — all top-order batters — who are set to face Bumrah in the marquee five-match series are unanimous about the pivotal role the Indian pace spearhead can play for India.

“Impossible (to face). You try to feel like you’re one step ahead, but it always feels like he’s that next step,” Head told ‘Fox Cricket’.

“Any format of the game, he’s incredible. He’s their X-factor, he’s the guy they go to every time, and more often than not, he’s able to produce for them.

“In big moments you want big players, and I think he’s their biggest. You’ve got your work cut out as a batter. He’s someone that’s going to be difficult over summer.” Part of Bumrah’s magic is his signature bowling action, which defies cricket convention.

“He (Bumrah) creeps in like a cat burglar,” pace legend Lee said in a lighter vein.

Bumrah’s “awkward and weird” action made Khawaja wonder where the ball came from when he first faced the Indian.

“When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, ‘Oh where did that come from?’” Khawaja said.

“It comes at you a little bit quicker than you expect because of the awkwardness of his action and how he releases the ball.

“Much like Mitchell Johnson, he had a weird action too. The ball used to come out and felt like it got to you quicker because you didn’t get a look at it the whole way. Jasprit’s a little bit the same, with arms going everywhere.” Star batter Smith is one of the few Australian players who has an impressive record against Bumrah, averaging 56.67 across formats, but the New South Welshman admitted that he still feels vulnerable against the Indian speedster early in his innings.

“He’s just awkward with the way he bowls, it’s obviously very different to a lot of other people,” Smith said.

“It takes a little bit getting used to. I’ve played against him quite a lot now, and it still takes a couple of balls to get used to the different rhythm.”

Australia’s Tim Paine expects Dhruv Jurel to be in the playing XI for India during the Border-Gavaskar series. The first Test will start on November 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Impressed by Dhruv Jurel’s technique and the ease with which he navigated through the bouncy MCG pitch recently, former Australia captain Tim Paine backed the Indian wicketkeeper batter to shine during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Paine, who coached Australia A in the recent series against India A, witnessed Jurel’s exploits in the second ‘unofficial’ Test where the 23-year-old scored an 80 and 68 at Melbourne.

“There’s a guy who has wicket kept in a few Test matches for India. He averages 63 out of the three Tests he’s played, and his name is Dhruv Jurel” Paine said on ‘SEN Tassie’.

Jurel made his Test debut against England earlier this year. In the three games that he played, Jurel scored 46, 90, 39 not out, and 15, averaging 63 with the bat.

The right-hander has, however, not got a game since Rishabh Pant’s comeback.

“I don’t know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat (against Australia A) – even though he’s a wicketkeeper, from what I’ve seen on this tour and from India’s batting in the last couple of months, I’d be staggered if he doesn’t play,” he added.

While Pant is expected to don the wicketkeepers gloves against Australia, Jurel, who was a part of the Indian squad for the New Zealand series, built a strong case for a Test eleven inclusion with two successive fifties in the four-day match.

“He’s 23 and he’s played three Test matches, but he looked a class above all of his teammates, to be fair, and handled the pace and bounced really well, which can be unusual for an Indian player,” Paine said.

The former wicketkeeper batter feels Jurel has the required temperament and skill to succeed in the longer format.

“He scored one of the more polished 80s I’ve seen, and we were all sitting around as staff of Cricket Australia and thought, ‘Wow, this guy can seriously play’,” Paine added.

“Keep an eye out for him this summer. I think he’s going to impress a lot of Australian fans.” “Even though it’s going to be another step up against the big three (of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood), he looks like he has the game to play Test cricket,” Pane added.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 with Perth set to host the opener.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir during a pre-departure press conference before leaving for Australia tour, in Mumbai, on November 11, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Head coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday (November 11, 2024) said Jasprit Bumrah, as designated vice-captain, will lead India in the opening Test against Australia in Perth if regular skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the game due to personal reasons.

The straight-talking former opener also indicated that KL Rahul could be asked to open the innings in place of Rohit.

The second batch of the Indian players is leaving for Perth, but Rohit has stayed back. Uncertainty remains if Rohit will compete in the series-opener.

“At the moment, there is no confirmation. We will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available, but everything you want to know, you will get to know before the start of the series,” Gambhir said.

“Bumrah is the vice-captain, so obviously If Rohit is not available, he is going to lead in Perth,” the coach added.

Rahul likely to open

Rohit’s possible absence also leaves a spot vacant at the top of the batting order and Gambhir said one among the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul, who both played in the unofficial Tests against Australia A for India A, will be picked.

“Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL there. We will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available.

“There are options. There are quite a lot of options in this spot. Once it gets closer to the first Test match, we will try and play the best playing XI who is going to do the job for us,” he added.

However he gave enough indications that Rahul’s experience might prevail over rookie Easwaran’s current form.

“There are times when you go with the experienced players as well and that is the quality of the man. He (Rahul) can actually bat at the top of the order, he can bat at number 3 and at number 6 as well,” said the former southpaw.

“So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kind of jobs as well and he has kept wickets in One-day format as well. So imagine how many countries have players like KL who can actually open the batting and can bat at number 6 as well? “So I feel that if needed be, I think he (Rahul) can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match,” Gambhir said.

Team moving forward, coach hints on Shardul non-selection

The coach backed uncapped all-rounder Nitish Reddy, who has a batting average of 21 in first-class cricket, and was picked ahead of veteran pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

“It is also about moving forward and I feel that this is the best set of players that we have selected to do the job for the country,” Gambhir said. indicating that doors are closed on Shardul for the time being.

Shardul was one of India’s heroes at the Gabba with handful of wickets and a half-century. He has been seamer all-rounder in SENA countries.

“We have picked the best squad who can do the job for us. Nitish Reddy, we all know that how incredibly talented he is and if given an option, he will deliver for us,” Gambhir said.

Why Harshit Rana wasn’t sent for A tour?

Rana was not sent with the India A squad for the unofficial ‘Tests’ in Australia to be ready for the BGT series but Gambhir said the management did not want to add to his workload by getting him to play First-Class games.

“He had played a first-class game against Assam and he did reasonably well (took five-for and scored half-century). We all thought that he has had enough bowling under his belt rather than just sending and playing him another first-class game,” Gambhir said.

“For us, it is important for a fast bowler to be fresh as well. It is going to be a long tour, it is going to be a five-Test match series. The bowling coach, the physios and the trainers thought that he has had enough under his belt and that was one of the reasons,” he added.

While there is no Mohammed Shami and tremendous pressure on Jasprit Bumrah to carry the pace bowling load, Gambhir feels that the attack is potent even with three inexperienced speedsters in Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep.

“We have got quality. We have got tall guys who can hit the deck like Prasidh and Harshit. All five guys have different skill sets. That makes our fast bowling attack very very potent.”

10 days of training good enough

Gambhir, who will be travelling with the second batch of Indian squad on Monday (November 11, 2024), said adjusting to conditions in Australia over the next 10 days will be vital for the team.

“We have got a lot of experienced players who have been to Australia a lot of times. Their experience will come in handy for the young players as well. These 10 days are going to be very crucial but come 22nd morning, we should be absolutely ready to fire from ball one,” he said.