Latest news with #BorderGavaskarTrophy
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Scott Boland in dark about his spot in Australia's playing XI for WTC final
London: Australia's seasoned quick Scott Boland is still in the dark about his potential appearance in the World Test Championship final against South Africa on Tuesday at the Lord's, a venue where he would "love" to play. With match figures of 5/105, the 36-year-old was one of Australia's premier pacers when they lifted their maiden WTC mace at The Oval in 2023 against India. He boosted his credentials against India by scalping 21 wickets in three appearances as Australia celebrated its first Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in a decade. Despite his exploits, Boland has found himself in a neck-to-neck battle with IPL-winning seamer Josh Hazlewood for one spot in the defending champions' pace setup against the Proteas. With less than a week left for the enticing contest, Boland has yet to receive the green light from the selectors about his spot in the playing XI. "I haven't had any chats with them (selectors). My goal coming into the last two months is just to get myself and my body in the position where I can put my hand up and be ready to go if it (selection) goes my way," Boland said in London on Thursday, as quoted from ICC. "I probably felt like back into the Shield season (Australian domestic red-ball competition), my knee was sort of not wearing away but wasn't going how I wanted it to go and didn't feel like I was bowling how I wanted, but now I feel like I'm in a really good spot that I can bowl how I want to bowl. It's pulling up really well, so that's all I can do, and I just want to make that decision (for selectors) as hard as possible," he added. Boland snuck his first training session with Australia on Wednesday while Hazlewood linked up with the team in London after his title-winning campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. The 36-year-old is aware of the carnage that a fully fit Hazlewood can inflict on the opposition. However, he pushed his case by citing his recent stellar performances for Australia in the Test format. "I feel like I had a couple of really strong games (during the Border-Gavaskar series), but Josh is obviously a world-class bowler. He's one of the best bowlers in the world, coming off a really good IPL, so I'm sure he'll be doing the same thing here (to push his case for selection). Obviously, we all want to play, but there's probably not room for all of us," Boland said. If Boland earns a spot in Australia's playing XI, he will make his first appearance at the iconic Lord's. For him, it will be a "pretty special" moment to bowl at the 'Home of Cricket'. "I'd love to play at Lord's. I think everyone's looking forward to getting there for training in a few days' time and then getting to the game, as it's a pretty special place for cricket," he added.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"If You Start Getting Angry...": Australia Great's Unique Observation Of Virat Kohli's Test Retirement
Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli stunned the cricketing world with the decision of his Test retirement last month. He didn't have good outing in the five-match Test series in Australia that concluded in January this year. The following phase even saw Kohli returning to play Ranji Trophy after 13 years. All the signs along with Kohli's eternal love for Test cricket indicated that he will continue to play in the format. It was thus an extremely shocking decision by Kohli to leave the format. Former Australia captain Mark Taylor commented on Kohli's retirement. He believes that Kohli was different from his usual self when he visited Australia for the 2024-25 Test series that eventually turned out to be his last. "Last year, I saw a different Virat Kohli (in Australia). An angry one. And I have never seen an angry Virat Kohli. I have seen a highly competitive Virat Kohli, and I love that about him. I always saw the gentleman. Last year I saw a different Virat Kohli and I said a month ago that it is time for him to retire. And he did. Because once you get angry, you've got to get out. And I think he realised that. If you start getting angry, you are gone," Taylor said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast. "Like a lot of cricket fans, I was disappointed with Virat last year. Because I had always greatly admired Virat and was his fan," Taylor added. Kohli bid adieu to his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He wrapped up his Test career as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall with 40 wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins). He also has the most Test hundreds by an Indian captain, with Gavaskar (11 centuries) way behind his 20 tons. Kohli remains a firm advocate for Test cricket as the Indian great recently expressed his opinion about youngsters playing the longest format after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year-long drought to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli abruptly announced his retirement during the 2025 IPL season and will not be a part of the side that faces England for five Test matches over the next two months. His last appearance in the format came against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Kohli believes there is nothing more important than playing Test cricket and said only after you perform in the longest format, will respect the world a player for his game. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'What Anushka has gone through … ': Virat Kohli gets emotional after RCB clinch IPL 2025 title
Image credit: BCCI/IPL NEW DELHI After 18 long years of near misses and heartbreaks, Virat Kohli finally led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever Indian Premier League title, sealing a tense six-run victory over Punjab Kings in a pulsating final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday night. As the last ball was bowled and victory was confirmed, Kohli's emotions overflowed. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged his wife, Anushka Sharma , and placed a kiss on her forehead to mark his happiness. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Speaking to broadcasters, Kohli also credited Anushka for the role she played in his IPL-winning moment that came after 18 years. "Watching us just miss out. What your life partner does for you to be able to play — the sacrifices, the commitment, and just backing you through thick and thin — is something you can't explain in words," Kohli said. "Only when you play professionally do you understand the many things that go on behind the scenes and what they go through as well. What Anushka has gone through emotionally — watching me being down and out, coming to games, being so connected with Bangalore (she's a Bangalore girl as well), and being connected to RCB — this is very, very special for her, and she's going to be so, so proud. Thank you," he added. Kohli remains a firm advocate for Test cricket, once again expressing his opinion about youngsters playing the longest format after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year-long drought to win the IPL title. Kohli announced his retirement during the 2025 IPL season and will not be part of the side facing England for five Test matches over the next two months. His last appearance in the format came against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Kohli believes there is nothing more important than playing Test cricket and said that only after performing in the longest format will the world truly respect a player for his game. 'You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I've had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That's how much I value Test cricket. And that's how much I love Test cricket. "So I would just urge the youngsters coming through, to treat that format with respect. Because if you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and shake your hand and say, 'Well done, you played the game really well'. So if you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket, and give your heart and soul to it. And when you walk out with wonders on the other side, then you gain respect to the cricket world with legends like yourself melting our hearts on the field and off the field," Kohli said on Tuesday. Kohli bid adieu to his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He wrapped up his Test career as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall with 40 wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins). He also holds the record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian captain, with 20 tons — far ahead of Sunil Gavaskar's 11 centuries.
Mint
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
KL Rahul makes special request to BCCI ahead of India's tour of England; here's what report says
After a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) with new franchise Delhi Capitals, KL Rahul made a special request to the BCCI to allow him to play the second India A game against England Lions in a bid to prepare himself for the upcoming Test series, starting next month. Rahul's decision comes in after the India batter wasn't able to prepare in Mumbai or Bengaluru due to adverse weather conditions. While India A play their unofficial Test against England Lions from May 30, the second unofficial Test gets underway at Northampton from June 6. According to a TOI report, Rahul has been granted permission to travel early to the United Kingdom as the BCCI gave the 31-year-old all the necessary go-aheads to get his preparation going and leave for England on June 2 instead of originally scheduled June 6 with rest of the team. This is not the first time Rahul has went overseas early to play warm-up games to get acclimatised with the conditions. Last year, Rahul went to Australia early to play for India A ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy. It is to be noted that Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were earlier reported to play for India A in the second game against England Lions. Will Gill being appointed as Indian Test captain, he will directly play in the first Test with no change in Sudharsan's travel plans. The India A games offers newcomers/less experienced players a massive chance to get acclimatised with the conditions overseas along with the emerging red-ball cricketers who would stake a claim for Test spots. The India A squad features players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, and Karun Nair, who are also in the Test squad against England. First Test: June 20-24, Headingley (Leeds) Second Test: July 2-6, Edgbaston (Birmingham) Third Test: July 10-14, Lord's (London) Fourth Test, July 23-27, Old Trafford (Manchester) Fifth Test: July 31- August 4, The Oval (London)
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Don't Really Have A Choice...": KL Rahul's Stunning 'Batting Order' Revelation
KL Rahul opened up about the constant changes to his batting position over the years and said that he believes that he never had much of a choice when it came to those decisions. During his career, Rahul has played as an opener but depending on the situation, he has batted at No. 7 as well. However, Rahul said that he was happy to tweak his game according to what his team needed. "If you have seen how my career has gone, I don't think I really had a choice, or I have never been a player to speak with the selectors and sit with the captain and tell the captain that this is what I want to do," he said. "I just want to be in the team and whatever challenge is thrown at me, I have found that's better for me to adapt to rather than me trying to sit and think about what I need to do," Rahul said. We could have batted better in last couple of Test series India endured a wretched run in the red ball formats recently, losing 0-3 to New Zealand at home before conceding the Border Gavaskar Trophy to Australia. "Last couple of Test series we should have batted better. Losing three Tests at home in conditions that we know. New Zealand found a way of keeping us quiet, not giving us easy boundaries. We had to really work hard for runs and that built pressure and we played some bad shots," said Rahul. "The wicket had a bit for spinners but they found a way to put pressure. If we had batted better we'd be at a better place against New Zealand. And then somehow we carried the habit of not being able to win crucial moments in the game and did the same mistakes in Australia."
