On Day 3 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s dismissal, after playing an unconventional shot, sparked a heated debate among commentators. The shot, which saw Pant caught at third man, became the subject of criticism from former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh, while Michael Hussey defended Pant’s aggressive approach.

Mark Waugh criticizes Rishabh Pant’s shot selection

In the 56th over of India’s first innings, Scott Boland, bowling round the wicket, delivered a full ball outside off stump. Pant, attempting a lap or scoop shot, misjudged the delivery and top-edged it to third man. Australian fielder Nathan Lyon, positioned at third man, had little trouble in taking the catch. Pant’s unusual dismissal left fans an?d commentators puzzled, with many questioning his shot selection at such a cr?ucial juncture of the innings.

Waugh criticized Pant’s shot, stating it was poor timing when India needed him to build an innings. While acknowledging Pant’s aggressive style, Waugh emphasized the importance of having boundaries and restraint in shot selection, suggesting that players should prioritize smart decisions with favorable percentages.

â€?em>That’s an awful shot when his team needed him to make an innings. I get it he’s an aggressive player and I want to see him be aggressive but you’ve still got to have some boundaries with the shots you play. There’s got to be a level of restraint and percentages in your favour and that shot falling down,” Waugh said on Fox Sports

Also READ: First time in 147 years: Nitish Kumar Reddy?? ??and Washington Sundar script historic record in MCG Test �AUS vs IND

Michael Hussey defends Pant’s natural game 

Hussey acknowledged that Pant’s shot was not ideal, especially for an Indian team fighting hard, but emphasized that it’s important not to doubt Pant’s natural aggressive style. While he expressed disappointment with the shot, Hussey believed Pant should continue playing in his free and clear manner, without changing his approach.

“It is a difficult situation because it’s not a great shot and it’s not a great look, especially for an Indian team looking to fight hard. But you don’t want to put doubt in his mind, he’s at his best when he’s clear and free and playing his natural way. I’d be disappointed with the shot, I’m sure he’d be disappointed with the shot but I don’t want him to change the way he plays,” Hussey responded

Waugh’s sarcastic reply to Hussey

Waugh, never one to shy away from playful banter, responded to Hussey’s defense with a sarcastic quip. He said: “That’s why you’re not head coach, just assistant coach.”

Hussey,? who was part of England’s coaching staff during their victorious 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, found himself at the receiving end of Waugh’s witty remark, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise serious discussion.

Also WATCH: ?Sunil Gavaskar brutally slams Rishabh Pant over his reckless dismissal on Day 3 of the M?CG Test | AUS vs IND

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Former Australia batter Michael Hussey has expressed surprise at India‘s decision to field Washington Sundar as the sole spinner in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener against Australia, sidelining seasoned spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. This choice marks a significant shift in India’s strategy, as it is rare for the team to enter a Test match without either of these spin stalwarts.

India’s bold decision to play Washington Sundar

The decision to include Sundar, who has been in remarkable form, particularly during the recent home series against New Zealand, reflects India’s willingness to embrace change. Sundar emerged as the leading wicket-taker in that series, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset on Australian soil. Despite late speculations favoring Ashwin due to his experience and historical effectiveness against batters like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the Indian management opted for Sundar’s fresh approach and recent performances.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Here’s when Rohit Sharma will join Team India for the Bo??rder-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2??5

Michael Hussey’s shocking reaction over the two veteran’s absence

Hussey noted that India could have benefited from the experience of Ashwin or Jadeja, especially considering Nathan Lyon‘s ability to exploit bounce on the Perth pitch. Historically, both Ashwin and Jadeja have been instrumental in India’s spin attack, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Their absence raises questions about how India will cope with Australia’s batting lineup, particularly on a pitch known for its pace and bounce.

“It is a bit of a surprise if I’m being honest. I thought one of them might play, definitely. You see how important Nathan Lyon is for Australia. Nathan Lyon has actually got the most wickets out of the Australian bowlers here in Perth, so he’s the key man for Australia and what that does is allows the captain to rotate the fast bowlers around from the other end,” Hussey said on pre match show on Fox Cricket.

India’s transitioning phase in Tests

This match marks a transitional phase for India, as they introduce new talent like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana alongside Sundar. While Sundar’s selection is based on his recent success, Reddy and Rana’s debuts indicate a shift towards nurturing young players for future challenges. The team management’s confidence in these newcomers suggests a long-term vision aimed at building a robust squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Interestingly, the last time India played a Test without either Ashwin or Jadeja was during the famous Gabba Test in January 2021, where Sundar made his debut and played a crucial role in India’s victory. This historical backdrop adds an intriguing layer to the current scenario, as fans recall Sundar’s impactful performance during that series. His ability to adapt to different conditions will be put to the test once again as he takes center stage in Perth.

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unfolds, all eyes will be on Sundar and his ability to lead India’s spin attack against a formidable Australian batting lineup. The decision to bench Ashwin and Jadeja may well define India’s strategy for this series and beyond.

Also READ: AUS vs IND, 1st Test: 2 debutants for India, no place for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja

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The forthcoming 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) promises to captivate the cricketing world with its exhilarating spectacle. Among the roster of teams, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by the iconic MS Dhoni, stand as a beacon of admiration among fans. Their adoration isn’t merely for the emotional connection with Dhoni but also stems from their illustrious track record in the tournament, securing a record number of titles, matching the accolades of the Mumbai Indians (MI) at five.

Chennai Super Kings: Ambitions and challenges

As they embark on this season’s journey, their ambition will be to elevate their championship tally from five to six. Yet, this quest is fraught with challenges, primarily due to a string of injuries plaguing their overseas players like Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman and the pivotal absence of Devon Conway, sidelined until May, which dealt a significant blow to t???????????????????????????he team.

Impact of Devon Conway’s absence and partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad

Conway’s injury posed a formidable hurdle for CSK as they seek to defend their IPL title, with the season slated to commence on March 22. The absence of the New Zealand batter, who played a pivotal role in CSK’s victorious campaign last year, accumulating an impressive 672 runs in 15 innings at an average of 51.69 and a strike rate of 139.82, is sorely felt.

His formidable partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top was instrumental in CSK’s success. The impact of Conway alongside Ruturaj over the past two years has been remarkable, with their partnership flourishing, accumulating an impressive 1208 runs in just 22 innings, boasting an average of 54.9 and a strike rate of 150.4.

Also READ: IPL 2024: Harsha Bhogle selects the opening pair for Chennai Super Ki??????????????????????????ngs (CSK)

Potential replacements for Conway by Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey, former CSK opener and current batting coach, believed the team has viable options in New Zealand’s emerging batting sensation Rachin Ravindra or India’s veteran player Ajinkya Rahane to fill the opening slot alongside Ruturaj.

“We’ve got Rachin Ravindra, who’s coming in, who plays a similar style to Devon Conway, There are other options as well. Ajinkya Rahane played so well last year. He could also move up the order,” Hussey was quoted as saying by the Sportskeeda.

Ravindra showcased his prowess in the recent ODI World Cup in India, dominating opposition bowlers with his stellar performances. He provides the necessary left-arm combination at the top and can also contribute with his left-arm spin bowling skills. Meanwhile, Rahane, a seasoned campaigner, brings a wealth of experience from his successful stints opening for previous franchises like Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL.

Final decision

Hussey underscored that the final decision rests with coach Stephen Fleming and captain Dhoni. Chennai are set to commence their campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the tournament’s opener on March 22,

“So, I’m not sure which way the captain and the coach want to go at this stage. But, as I said, I think we’ve got enough depth to be able to cover it in certain ways,” the 48-year-old concluded.

Also READ: IPL 2024: 3 potential opening partners for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the absence of Devon Conway f??or CSK

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As the cricketing world eagerly watches Australia’s intense battle against Pakistan in Test cricket, discussions surrounding the potential retirement of star opener David Warner have been gaining momentum. Recently inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, the legendary Aussie opener Michael Hussey has shared his candid thoughts on whether Mitchell Marsh could be the ideal replacement for War?ner at the top of the order?.

Michael Hussey’s legacy

It is worth mentioning that Hussey is one of the cricketing stalwarts of Australia and was recently inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. He donned the Aussie jersey in 302 international matches and accumulated a staggering 12,398 runs, supported by 22 centuries. Moreover, he was part of Australia’s many historic triumphs, including the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, and the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.

Hussey’s take on David Warner’s replacement

Known for his prowess as an opening batter, Hussey offered valuable insights into the qualities he believes are crucial for a Test opener amidst the speculations of Waner’s Test retirement. Expressing his perspective on the matter, Hussey emphasized the importance of opting for a traditional and seasoned opener when considering Warner’s potential replacement.

“Opening is one of the toughest jobs in the game. So for me personally, if I was selecting, I’d be going for a traditional, proper opener. Someone who has done it for a long period of time. Because if you haven’t done it much in your first-class career, it’s going to be very difficult to come up the order,” Hussey was quoted saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Also READ: Danish Kaneria lashes out at PCB for excluding his?? name from th??e list of Test records in Australia

Hussey shares his honest verdict on Mitchell Marsh’s prospects of replacing Warner

Addressing the speculation surrounding Marsh as a possible replacement, Hussey acknowledged the discussions but expressed skepticism about Marsh’s suitability as an opener. He asserted that the role of opening is challenging and that transitioning from the middle order to the top might pose difficulties.

“I’m not saying you can’t do it, and maybe someone could evolve into doing that role. But I think it would be difficult for a player like Mitch Marsh or someone – I know there’s been talk about him going up the order – I think he’s probably more suited, much like Travis Head, to be in the middle-order. I think that’d be the best for the balance of the Australian team,” highlighted Hussey.

Warner’s historic achievement during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan

While discussions about Warner’s potential replacement unfold, the left-handed batter recently achieved a historic feat when he surpassed Steve Waugh‘s record and became Australia’s second-highest run-scorer in international cricket across all formats, amassing an impressive 18,498 runs. He reached the milestone during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne.

Also READ: SA vs IND – Here’s how Team India has fared out in Boxing Day Tests

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Australian cricket stalwart Michael Hussey has voiced his discontent with the rushed scheduling of the T20I series between India and Australia.

Immediate transition from World Cup to T20I Series

The swift commencement of the five-match T20I series between India and Australia, merely four days after their intense encounter in the ODI World Cup 2023 final on November 19, has drawn attention. This quick turnaround has ?naturally resulted in the ?absence of several key World Cup stars from both teams in the ongoing series.

Michael Hussey’s displeasure with the scheduling of IND vs AUS series

In a conversation with SEN Radio, Hussey voiced his disappointment regarding the immediate commencement of the T20 series merely days after the conclusion of the World Cup. He c?ontended that this swift shift has resulted in the devaluation of the ongoing five-game contest.

“I certainly feel like this T20 series has been devalued. It doesn’t cheapen the World Cup but it certainly cheapens this series. There would be a number of guys who were at the World Cup (for both nations) would probably be in their T20 teams. They got home to either prepare for a Test series or simply to have a break,” Hussey said.

“This is certainly not the best Australian T20 team going up against the best India T20 team,” the 48-year-old added.

Also READ: Zaheer Khan reveals his pi??ck for India’s captain in T20 Worl?d Cup 2024

Impact of rigorous cricket calendar

Hussey further lambasted the international cricket calendar, emphasizing the strain it places on players both physically and mentally. The overdose of cricket matches, particularly in quick succession, poses a sig?nificant challenge to the well-being of athletes, raising concerns about their overall fitness and form.

“It’s just amazing how much (cricket boards) pack on a calendar to play so much cricket. It is physically and mentally impossible to play all of the tournaments that are going on,â€?the Australian stalwart concluded.

Key players’ participation and absence

In the Indian squad, only Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Prasidh Krishna from the?? World Cup squad are actively participating in the T20I series??.

On the Australian front, notable World Cup contributors such as Steve Smith, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis and Sean Abbott have returned home after the initial stage of the series, leaving Travis Head as the sole member of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad to continue featuring in the ongoing series. As of now, India holds a 2-1 lead against the visitors.

Also READ: Pakistan announces ??their new batting coach ahead of Austral?ia tour

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India and Australia over the years have produced several cricketers who ha?ve not only excelled in their respective departments but also successfully captained the sides.

‘Mr. Cricket�Michael Hussey had the opportunity to play under some of ?the finest leaders produced by the game, n??amely, Ricky Ponting and MS Dhoni.

?Under Ponting, Hussey was a part of a world-beating champion Australian team which excelled in all condition??s and against all oppositions.

With Dhoni, he donned the iconic yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for six seasons, before making a move to Mumbai Indians (MI) for a season, playing under Rohit Sharma.

Later, Hussey was ret??ained by the CSK franchise and wa?s appointed for the role of mentorship in the squad.

Now, the Aussie has drawn comparisons between the leadership qualities of Ponting, Dhoni, and Rohit, ??having played under all of them.

“They are all very different ch??aracters. Ri??cky Ponting was so competitive and led from the front and backed his players 100%. He wanted to win so badly and dragged the whole team along with him,�Hussey told Chetan Narula in a podcast named ‘HotSpot�

With MSD, Hussey won the IPL seaso?n?? of 2010 and 2011; and won the 2015 title under Rohit.

“MSD�he has a great intuition for the game but he is also very calm and cool, backs his players enormously and shows a lot of faith in them,�Hussey add?ed.

“Rohit was much the same. He is very calm under pressure and tactically very sound as well. All of them had this ability to take the p??ressure off players and I think that was a good t??hing,�the former Australian middle-order batsman reckoned.

Further, Hussey explained the different styles of the three captains with a common trait of ke??eping their compo?sure during crunch situations.

“Whether the team is going really well or going poorly, they are just consistent and calm with their personalities. Ricky, for example, whether he scored a hundred or scored a duck, he was just the same person. MSD, whether won four games in a row or lost four games in a row, he is exactly the same person. I thi?nk that is a very good attribute to have from a leadership point of view and it rubs off on everyone else on the team,�Hussey concluded.

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Australia’s Michael Hussey was indisputably one of the most dexterous cricketers the world has ever seen. His ability to knock-out any bowling unit in challenging situations was enough to elucidate the kind of talent he was during his cricketing days. That’s the reason he is considered as the sharpest cricketing mind out there. And whenever he comes up with his favourite players or teams, it gets respect from the followers of the game straight away.

Recently, Hussey opined that Indian batsman Rohit Sharma is rich with the “ability and temperament” to reach new heights in the upcoming India tour of Australia which is scheduled to begin from the first week of December later this year.

Now once again, Hussey has exhibited his cricketing wisdom as he came up with his all-time ‘fearsome’ XI from the Indian Premier League (IPL). While speaking to sports presenter Chetan Narula on his YouTube channel, the 45-year-old Aussie picked a special IPL XI. He started the proceedings by naming the openers in the form of Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain David Warner.

Rohit is? one of the most consistent hitters in IPL. In 188 games, the 33-year-old has accumulated 4898 runs which is t?he third-highest by any batsman in the lucrative league. Warner, on the other hand, has clubbed 4706 runs �highest by a foreign player.

For the number three and four, Hussey selected two gems from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He picked RCB skipper Virat Kohli at number three and his partner-in-crime AB de Villiers for the fourth spot.

Kohli with 5412 runs to his name in 177 matches is the leading run-score?r in the lucrative league. Similarly, De Villiers has amassed 4395 runs �third-most run-scorer amongst overseas cricketers.

For the following three positions, Hussey picked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS ??Dhoni, MI all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) biggest match-winner Andre Russell.

Hussey made Dhoni the captain of his team. The Ranchi-born is one of the most successful leaders of the cash-rich league. MSD h??as guided CSK to 104 wins and three IPL title victories.

Amongst bowlers, the Western Australian went with two spinners – Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal and two seamers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. The Aussie also picked the 12th man in KL Rahul.

Chahal has featured in 84 games and has taken 100 wickets �14th most by any bowler, whereas Rashid has 55 s??calps to his name in 46 matches. When it comes to the pacers, then Bhuvneshwar has grabbed 133 wickets?? �sixth-most by any bowler in the history of IPL. While Bumrah has earned 82 wickets in 77 matches.

Here is Michael Hussey’s all-time fearsome IPL XI:

Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Virat Kohli, AB de Villie??rs, MS Dhoni (c), Hardik Pandya, Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul (12th man).

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England and West Ind?ies cricket fans are bracing themselves to witness the first Test series after the outbreak of Coronavirus. The opening game is all set to begin from July 8 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. However, Indian fans might have to wait until the first week of December as the Gabba will host the opening match of a highly anticipated India-Australia Test series.

Last time when India toured Australia In the 2018-19 season, the visitors registered a maiden Test series victory. During that series, the hosts missed the likes of explosive batsman David Warner and virtuoso batter Steve Smith. However, this?? time when India will face the Kangaroos in their own backyard, the scenarios will be quite different as both Warner and Smith will be in the Australian squad.

Speaking about the same, former international Michael Hussey is of the opinion that the intimidating Australian conditions are destined to assess any batsmen in the world, but he also believes that Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has the “ability and temperament” to reach excellence in upcoming India’s tour.

“It’s going to test any batsman in the world, but I think because he’s (Rohit) played a lot of One-Day cricket batting at the top of the order, and now he’s been having some success with the red ball game as well, that’ll give him confidence coming in,” Hussey said on ‘Sony Ten’s Pit Stop’ chat show.

Rohit was a part of the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar series, but h??ad batted at No.6, scoring 37 and 1 in Adelaide and 63* and 5, in Melbourne. After which his fans and many cricket experts said that Indian management should try Rohit as an opener in red-ball cricket.

Then in the subsequent home series, the Mumbaikar debuted as a Test opener against South Africa, and it did magic for him. During the series, Rohit smashed three centuries including a double hundred. Although, ‘Hitman’ did miss two Tests in India’s recent tour of New Zealand due to a calf injury.

Hussey articulated that the key for Rohit would be adaptabi?lity to the Australian condit??ions.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he’s got the ability and the skill and the temperament, to be able to handle it. I think he would adapt. No, worries at all of his batting at the top of the order. It will be challenging in Australian conditions against the top quality bowling attack with pace and bounce,” said the former left-handed batsman.

After Gabba, both Australia and India will meet at Adelaide Oval for the Day-Night Test. Sim??ilarly, the third match w?ill take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It will be a Boxing-Day Test. Then, next year in January 2021, both nations will lock horns at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the fourth Test.

Here are the fixtures for Border-Gavaskar series:

• First Test: The Gabba, December 3-7, 2020
• Second Test (D/N): Adelaide Oval, December 11-15, 2020
• Third Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground, December 26-30, 2020
• Fourth Test: Sydney Cricket Ground, January 3-7, 2021

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Former India captain MS Dhoni achieved massive success in both international and domestic cricket. He is the only captain to win all ICC trophies. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dho??ni won three IPL titles for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) �second best after Rohit Sharma.

Apart from his captaincy heroics, Dhoni is known for his calmness and composure. Hardly has anyone would have seen him losing his temper on the field. Probably that’s the reason why Dhoni is called ‘Captain Cool’ by his fans.

However, former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has revealed one incident when MSD reacted angrily after one of his tips as CSK batting coach led to Dhoni’s dismissal during an IPL 2018 match. While speaking on ‘Lessons Learnt with the Greats’ podcast, Hussey also shared when Dhoni avoided his advice on how to tackle Rashid Khan in the IPL 2018 Qualifier 1 match.

It was the first Qualifier of IPL 2018 between CSK and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Hussey revealed how on the night before the crucial game, he had received a helpful clip from the video analyst, in respect to Rashid’s action.

“The night before the qualifying final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he (the analyst) sent me this split-screen of Rashid Khan. When he (Rashid) runs in to bowl, when he bowls his leg-spinner, he holds his finger wide as he’s running in, and when he bowls a wrong ‘un, (he bowls) with fingers like this. And I thought â€?‘Woah, this is good, but I am not sure if I should be throwing this out to the batsmen the night before this massive qualifying final’. So, I am sitting on this information, and I am going back and forth â€?‘Should I, should I not, would I want it’,” said Hussey.

“And I said to myself â€?If we play this game tomorrow and lose, and Rashid Khan goes really well, and I have sat on this info, and I haven’t sent it out, I am not going to forgive myself. So, I decided to send it out to all the batsmen. But I did make sure I wrote: ‘You may want to use this, you may not. It is just here for your information. If you want anything, go for it, if not,” he added.

Then the ma??tch day came, and CSK were st?ruggling at 24/3 when Dhoni walked out to bat. The CSK skipper had a hard time understanding the leg-spin of Rashid. Eventually, Dhoni was bowled by a googly.

“Rashid Khan comes on to bowl, one of the very first balls he (Dhoni) faces, goes for the big cover drive â€?wrong’ un, bowled through the gate. And I’m thinking ‘Uh, gosh. Okay, no worries.’ And MS walks straight off the field, and I am sitting in the dugout, and he walks straight up to me and says ‘I’ll bat my own way, thanks,’ and sits back down,” Hussey added further.

Hussey expressed that after Dhoni’s dismissal, he thought it’s over for him as a coach of CSK, but Dhoni did come up to him for a chat and calmed down the scenes.

“As a coach, I thought my days are over forever! But, to MS’s credit, after the game, he was absolutely fantastic. He came up and spoke to me, and we had a good chat. He said that the information was correct, but for him, he needed time to go away and process it and practise it,” concluded Hussey.

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