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Freelance contributer writing articles, features and analytical pieces on cricket, association football and professional wrestling.
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The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start on Sunday (1am AEDT) with 15 Aussies involved as players. This…
A couple of weeks after retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India are set to host England in a four-Test series. The matches should be entertaining,…
India, a country with around 1.3 billion people, held its breath as Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood came marching in to bowl the last ball…
Earlier this week India exhibited a solid act of defiance to save the Sydney Test. Facing a target of 407 in four sessions, they…
After losing the ODI series, India hoped for a quick turnaround, and they achieved it with a 2-1 win in the T20I series. Ravindra…
Since the IPL's inception in 2008, Australians have been an important feature of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. In six of the 13…
Hello MSD, On Saturday, I got a text from my friend. I couldn’t believe as it read, “Dude, Mahi (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) Retired.” For…
With the year drawing to a close, it’s time to look back at how 2020 went for Virat Kohli’s men. There were few incredible…
With an innings defeat in Ranchi, the South African cricket team matched a dubious record. They have now lost five consecutive Tests for the…
India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 137-run victory over Australia at the MCG last week, but there's still one Test remaining to decide…
His third season curse continued as Jose Mourinho was sacked right on time by Manchester United. In what was a disastrous start to the…
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s biggest T20 domestic league. One of the first in terms of franchising the game, the tournament…
Australia registered a Test win after nine months - their first since their heroics at Durban - to level the ongoing Test series 1-1.…
Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly one of the best limited-overs players in the world. Statistically second, just behind Virat Kohli. Since July 2013, after his…
The first match in the summer Test series between Australia and India was an intense contest from which the visitors emerged victorious – but…
This could be one of the most exciting Test series of the calendar year as Australia host India. The stakes are quite high going…
This is one of the most anticipated summers of Australian cricket. The Sheffield Shield is well on the way, and the Big Bash will…
Australia is set to have a competitive home summer. Hosting South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, this can be one of the most highly-anticipated…
Hey Will, Just a couple of days back, I scrolled through cricketing news when my eyes rested on a story. To paraphrase, it said,…
This week's WWE Monday Night Raw began with one of the most emotional promos of all time. As Universal Champion Roman Reigns walked down…
Yes, I was tempted about including him in the Playing XI.
However, IPL coaches have traditionally had a liking for Stoinis, so I leaned more towards him.
Biggest flops in IPL history's green and gold makeover: Ultimate guide to IPL 2025 and where all the Aussies will play
Hello Paul
I understand your point. However, especially under Kohli, India have typically gone with 5 stable bowling options, 5 batsmen and a wicket keeper.
What has happened is, the 5 batsmen perform well, and then Jadeja (when he plays) and Ashwin come handy with the bat too… So I went with the same formula; only Sundar coming in for Jadeja.
About Sundar, it is being discussed whether India could go with Axar Patel (who’s a better batsman) or Hardik Pandya (if he can bowl). I chose Sundar because after his exploits at the Gabba, he is likely to get an opportunity.
Predicting India's line-up for the first Test against England
Honestly, I don’t think I am getting carried away. Yes, India lost in England and South Africa, but were competitive for the largest parts of the series – something that had never happened in the past. The side got decimated in New Zealand, but it remains to be seen whether it was blip or not.
This time, hardly anyone gave them a chance to win even before the injuries happened. Ricky Ponting was surprised at how a depleted Indian side won at The Gabba.
I believe that alongside Australia being ordinary, it was also a case of India being disciplined and inspired.
Anyway, India will tour England and South Africa in 2021. Those series could give an idea about where the Indian cricket currently stands on the international scene.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph is a sign of the new India
Thank you for the responses
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph is a sign of the new India
You’re right. It’s an asset to have such a player in the test side ????
Hanuma Vihari: An old-school cricketer with an indomitable spirit
I would love to see Indian players getting some valuable BBL experience. It will even help India in the T20 format to have better players.
However, I can’t see that happening anytime soon.
I guess a part of it is also about workload management, apart from BCCI wanting to protect its “assets”.
A reason why this practice is going unchallenged by the players or the foreign boards are-
1. Players are getting remunerated quite well;
2. 20% of an overseas IPL player’s fee is paid to the player’s respective cricket board to ensure his availability throughout the season.
(https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.timesofindia.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/bcci-wants-to-cut-ipls-20-foreigner-release-fee/amp_articleshow/74468391.cms)
Ranking the top ten Australians in the 2020 IPL
Yes, he was quite good against Sunrisers Hyderabad (12/1 in 4).
Honestly, I was a bit confused between whether I should include him or Maxwell. However, Zampa’s other two figures read 53/1 in 4 against the Mumbai Indians, and 0/27 in 3 against Rajasthan Royals.
So I eventually leaned more towards Maxwell.
Ranking the top ten Australians in the 2020 IPL
I said ‘pure on-field cricket’.
If you consider the Ashes or India-Australia Pakistan, cricket goes beyond whatever happens on the actual field
Five questions the decisive Sydney Test will finally answer
Hello Niranjan
I agree with your notion. However typically, we won’t tinker with our playing XI and for a reason.
Again, in case if we decide to go with a specialist batsman, I’d rather have Rahul instead of Vijay, that too in middle order. I remember it was suggested in Indian media before the series began as well.
Five questions the decisive Sydney Test will finally answer
Honestly, if Smith and Warner do come back and Starc- Cummins- Hazlewood stay fit, Australia can be strong contenders for the semifinals
SWOT analysis of the Australian ODI squad against South Africa
Technically there won’t be a quarterfinal. 10 teams will play against each other, with every team playing 9 matches. Finally last 4 will make it to the semis.
According to me, if the World Cup was to be played today; England and India would have certainly made through. New Zealand usually perform brilliantly in ICC tournaments; hence them and a team among Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.
If Gayle, Russell and Lewis play, West Indies should pull off some wins and may become the Kingmakers of the tournament as well.
SWOT analysis of the Australian ODI squad against South Africa
Thanks a lot Paul, for your feedback.
I agree that even in a society as ‘developed’ as ours, we constantly attach a stigma to mental health related issues. I hope that it changes soon.
Finally, I really respect Will and Cricket Victoria that they have decided to handle this situation the way it should be handled. Hope he comes back soon.
An open letter to Will Pucovski
Thank you Gatesy for your kinds words. I hope so too that Will gets back soon, stronger and wiser.
An open letter to Will Pucovski
Yes, I agree with your point. Players’ safety, be it physical or emotional is the most important aspect of any sport.
An open letter to Will Pucovski
Well, he needs time as per me. Faulkner has got redundant in terms of his bowling.
He has good variations, can be a good asset for the Aussies.
Australian selectors to blame for ODI carnage
Also, I was wondering, where has Pattinson gone? I know he has been injury- prone, but he is talented enough to get straight into the fold of Australia’s team when he is fit!
Australian selectors to blame for ODI carnage
I believe that Tye is one of the best limited overs bowlers in Australia (perhaps just next to Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood in any order). His variations and consistency make him a better bowler than Faulkner, Behrendorff, Tremain or even NC-N (Though NC-N’s all rounder capabilities make him valuable). His failure in this series is costing the Aussies dearly.
Australian selectors to blame for ODI carnage
Thanks a lot!
haha, I agree with your point as well. Hoping for an entertaining World Cup!
FIFA World Cup 2018: Group F
I understand what you are trying to say.
However, I am trying to make a point that Germany’s strength, unlike Brazil, Argentina or even France has been their performances as a team than any individual heroics.
FIFA World Cup 2018: Group F
I think MI, SRH and CSK will make it to last 4; and RCB or KXIP seem primed to join them.
However, while I missed this point in the story, a lot of RCB’s success will depend on if their English overseas players, David and Jitesh could perform well.
Biggest flops in IPL history's green and gold makeover: Ultimate guide to IPL 2025 and where all the Aussies will play