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Preview: India vs South Africa, 1st Test

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The India vs South Africa Test series will be starting from today.

Both teams have set their eyes on some crucial WTC points by winning the series.

The first match will be played in Centurion at the SuperSport Park.

Both teams have some major players missing out in this series but still, both the teams are well balanced.

South Africa will be playing their first WTC series while it will be the 3rd series of Team India in this Championship. 

Team India has a poor record in South Africa as they have never won a Test series against South Africa at their home.

India has played 20 away Tests against South Africa out of which they were able to win only 3 Test matches.

On the other hand, South Africa won 10 matches while 7 matches ended as a draw.

India has played 6 Test matches in the two-Test series they have played in the WTC so far, winning three Tests, losing one while 2 games ended as a draw.

Team India will look to win their first-ever away series victory against South Africa.

South Africa has never lost a Test match in Centurion since 2014 while India has lost both of their matches here.

Team India

The biggest question is whether team India will go with 5 bowlers or should they strengthen their batting lineup by adding an extra batter instead of the 5th bowler.

The batting has always struggled in South Africa so, strengthening the batting lineup will be a good move but Team India will probably don’t take this risk and will go with 5 bowlers.

It will be tough to choose between Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer but according to the current form, Shreyas Iyer will most probably play the first Test match instead of Rahane. 

Predicted playing XI

Mayank Agarwal                                                                                                                                                                   KL Rahul (vc)                                                                                                                                                         Chateshwar Pujara                                                                                                                                                         Virat Kohli (c)                                                                                                                                                                 Shreyas Iyer/ Ajinkya Rahane                                                                                                                          Rishabh Pant (wk)                                                                                                                                                             Shardul Thakur                                                                                                                                                               Ravichandran Ashwin                                                                                                                                  Mohammed Shami                                                                                                                                            Mohammed Siraj/ Ishant Sharma                                                                                                                                                  Jasprit Bumrah

Team South Africa

Despite the absence of some of the main players, the home side will enter as favorites in this series because of their ruthless home record in Tests against the Asian sides.

If South Africa wins this series then they will reach the top position on the ICC World Test Championship points table.

South Africa played their last Test series against West Indies where they won both the Test matches convincingly.

Dean Elger will lead the South African side in this series.

South Africa suffered a huge blow before the start of this series as one of their main fast bowlers, Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the series due to an injury.

South Africa will most probably give Mulder a chance to prove himself both as a bowler and a lower middle-order batter in this match.

He will be playing at no 7 position.

Kagiso Rabada will lead the fast bowling section in this series for his side.

Predicted playing XI

Dean Elgar (c)                                                                                                                                                                    Aiden Markram                                                                                                                                                                     Keegan Petersen                                                                                                                                                          Rassie van der Dussen                                                                                                                                                 Temba Bavuma                                                                                                                                                         Quinton de Kock (wk)                                                                                                                                                                     Wiaan Mulder                                                                                                                                                                     Keshav Maharaj                                                                                                                                                            Kagiso Rabada                                                                                                                                                                  Lungi Ngidi                                                                                                                                                                  Duanne Olivier

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BIG NEWS

Nepal Premier League Becomes a Watershed Moment for Nepali Cricket

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The NPL marks a milestone for Nepali cricket, bringing new opportunities and excitement to the sport!

The NPL has become a watershed moment for Nepali cricket, elevating the sport to new heights. With its success, the league has brought national and international attention to Nepali cricket, attracting a broader fan base and better sponsorships.

This landmark event showcases the immense talent present in Nepal and provides a platform for local players to shine. The league has paved the way for a new generation of cricketers to gain recognition and advance their careers in the sport.

The NPL has also given Nepali cricket more global exposure. International players joining the league help raise the level of competition, further inspiring the local players. The league’s popularity continues to grow as it evolves and promises to be a cornerstone of Nepali cricket in the years to come.

As the league progresses, it is expected to inspire future stars and increase the overall development of cricket in Nepal. Fans eagerly follow every match, enjoying the thrilling action and supporting their favorite players and teams.

In conclusion, the Nepal Premier League has transformed Nepali cricket, setting the stage for future growth. This momentous development will surely lead to even greater success for Nepali cricket on the international stage.

The NPL has also sparked interest in domestic leagues across emerging cricket nations. It serves as a model for other countries to develop their cricketing infrastructure and provide young talent. As the NPL continues to grow, it is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of Nepali cricket.

Fans have embraced the tournament, creating a sense of national pride. The NPL’s rise reflects the growing global interest in domestic cricket leagues and their role in nurturing future talent. It’s a significant milestone for Nepali cricket, ensuring that the sport will continue to evolve in the coming years.

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BGT

Simon Katich Criticizes George Bailey’s Call to Axe Nathan McSweeney from Australian Team

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Simon Katich Criticizes George Bailey’s Call to Axe Nathan McSweeney from Australian Team

Simon Katich has sharply criticized George Bailey’s decision to drop Nathan McSweeney from the Australian team. Simon Katich believes this call was a poor decision, especially after McSweeney’s consistent performance. Bailey’s choice has sparked discussions about the selection process and the reasoning behind it.

McSweeney’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why a player with such promise was dropped. Katich, in particular, feels that Bailey’s decision to axe McSweeney is questionable, especially when compared to the struggles of other top-order batters. Both teams in the recent series have faced challenges with their top-order batting, but the Australian selectors decided to make this change.

Katich’s comments reflect growing concerns about the selection strategy and the impact of dropping McSweeney. He pointed out that many players have struggled with their form, yet McSweeney was chosen to be left out. This, Katich argues, highlights the inconsistency in the decision-making process.

Top-order batters in both teams have faced difficulties, with neither side managing to produce consistent runs. Despite these struggles, the decision to remove McSweeney has left fans and experts questioning the rationale behind the move. Some believe that dropping McSweeney might have been premature, given the form of other players.

Katich’s criticism brings attention to the broader issue of player selections in international cricket. As teams prepare for future series, these decisions are likely to influence the direction of Australian cricket. The focus now shifts to how Bailey and the selectors will handle similar challenges in upcoming matches.

The debate continues, with many calling for more transparent and consistent decision-making regarding player selections in international cricket.

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Steve Smith and Travis Head Address BCCI’s Influence in Cricket

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Steve Smith and Travis Head discuss BCCI's influence in cricket, raising debates about power and fairness in the sport.

Steve Smith recently commented on BCCI’s influence in cricket, sparking debates about its significant role in global governance. During a media interaction, Smith remarked that the International Cricket Council (ICC) appears less powerful than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This statement drew attention, prompting Smith to clarify his intentions quickly.

Smith acknowledged that the BCCI holds a dominant position in cricket due to its financial and organizational contributions. He pointed out how the Indian board influences key decisions that shape the sport. However, Smith softened his tone, emphasizing that his comments were not meant as criticism of either the ICC or the BCCI.

Travis Head, Smith’s Australian teammate, also addressed BCCI’s influence in cricket. Head humorously referred to the Indian board as “rulers,” recognizing its ability to set global standards in cricket. He highlighted the board’s pivotal role in defining policies and establishing benchmarks for the sport.

These remarks have reignited discussions about power dynamics in international cricket. Critics argue that the BCCI’s financial clout often overshadows smaller cricketing nations. They believe this imbalance can hinder fair representation in decision-making. On the other hand, supporters emphasize the BCCI’s critical role in expanding cricket’s global reach and popularity.

As India hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup, the spotlight remains on the BCCI’s influence in cricket. The board’s central role in shaping schedules, policies, and trends continues to drive conversations about equity in the sport. Smith and Head’s remarks reflect ongoing concerns about maintaining fairness and inclusivity in global cricket governance.

Their comments underscore the need for balanced representation to ensure a fair future for cricket.

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