As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 heats up with the Boxing Day Test on the horizon, former Australian cricketer Simon Katich has laid out a tactical blueprint for the Australian team to neutralize the threat posed by India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. With the series currently at a 1-1 deadlock, the advice comes at a critical juncture where strategies could dictate the series’ outcome.

Understanding Jasprit Bumrah’s dominance

Bumrah, renowned for his unconventional action and ability to deliver yorkers with pinpoint accuracy, has been a significant challenge for the Australian batting line-up this series. He boasts an impressive tally of 21 wickets in three Tests at an average of 10.90, making him the series’ leading wicket-taker. His performance, including a match haul of 8 for 72 in Perth, has left Australian batters struggling to adapt to his variations in pace and line.

Also READ: BCCI annou??nces Ravichandran Ashwin’s replacement for the remai?ning two Tests against Australia

Simon Katich shares the strategy to tackle Bumrah

Katich advocated for the Australian batters to focus on keeping the scoreboard moving with singles and doubles rather than looking for boundary options?????????????????????????? against Bumrah. By not allowing him to settle into a rhythm, they could disrupt his line and length. The former Australian player stressed the need for impeccable defensive techniques.

“All the talk is around having more positive intent, and I think that’s all well and good, but against someone like Bumrah, intent isn’t about blazing him for fours because he doesn’t bowl many bad balls. A lot of that intent has to be about rotating strike and being able to defend really well, because you’re not going to be able to play with any intent if you aren’t there after the tenth over,” said Katich while speaking on SEN 1116.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: BCCI provides final verdict on Mohammed Shami’s availability for the final two Tes??ts of BGT 2024-25

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

In the dynamic world of international cricket, Babar Azam stands as a symbol of elegance and skill, making his mark as one of the foremost batters in modern-day cricket. The f?ormer Pakistan captain has garnered widespread acclaim for his flawless batting techniques, mastering both limited-overs cricket and making significant strides in Test formats. As Babar continues to evolve as a legendary batter, a new era is unfolding in the Pakistani cricket arena.

Babar Azam’s current endeavors in Australia

Currently participating in the ongoing first Test in Perth against Australia, Babar finds himself at the helm of Pakistan’s batting lineup. This series marks the first since Babar’s relinquishment of the captaincy across formats, with Shan Masood leading the Pakistan te?am in the red-ball battle against the Aussies.

Simon Katich’s bold prediction

Amidst Babar’s exemplary journey, former Australian opener Simon Katich has cast his gaze toward the future of Pakistani cricket. Known for his astute cricketing insights, Katich has shared his thoughts on an emerging Pakistani batter who he believes has the potential to surpass Babar’s brilliance on the international stage.

Also WATCH: AUS vs PAK – Debutant Aamer Jamal’s six-wicket brilliance initiates Pakistan’s fightback against Australia on Day 2 of the Perth Test

During a commentary session on Day 2 of the Perth Test, Katich identified Abdullah Shafique as the player destined for greatness in Pakistan cricket. Katich commended Shafique’s assertive approach against spin, emphasizing a particular moment where he confidently dispatched Nathan Lyon straight over his head.

Will be a better player than Babar Azam: Katich

Katich’s endorsement of Shafique comes as a significant statement, adding a layer of anticipation to the young batters’ burgeoning career. The Australian cricket pundit believes that Shafique’s early success in Test cricket and aggressive style against spin bode well for his future.

“He’s a good young player, he’s had a good start to his Test career. What I like about him the most is that he’s aggressive against spin. We have already seen him today hit Nathan Lyon straight over his head, so I like the look of him,” said Katich.

“I think he’s going to be a better player than Babar Azam,” he predicted.

Also READ: AUS vs PAK – David Warner explains reason behind his ‘fingers on lipsâ€?celebration after hitting 26th century in Perth Test

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Mumbai Indians-owned MI Cape Town announced their coaching team on Thursday ahead of the inaugural SA20 player auction, which is scheduled on September 19 in Cape Town. Recently, Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayaw??ardene and former India pacer Zaheer Khan were appointed as Global Head of Performance and Global Head of Cricket Development, respectively, as the franchise is expanding to the? SA20 league and the UAE T20 t??ournament.

Now, MI Cape Town has roped in former Australia batsman Simon Katich as the team’s head coach and South African legend Hashim Amla as the batting coach. Apart from the duo, current Mumbai Indians fielding coach James Pamment will take the same role on the Cape Town side, and ex-South African player Robin Peterson will be the team’s General Manager.

“It is an absolute honour to be offered the position of head coach for MI Cape Town. It is always special to put together a new team, hone skills and build a team culture. I look forward to ensuring that MI Cape Town develops into a team that leverages local talent and has MI core values at its heart,” stated Katich in an official release.

“I’m thrilled to take up this assignment with MI Cape town. Big thanks to MI owners, management and my manager for facilitating this so smoothly. From everything they have planned it looks like it’s going to be amazing platform that will attract our local talent. Bringing my experience as a player and mentor I am excited to help MI Cape Town players bring the best out of themselves and also make SA cricket stronger,” said Amla.

Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm and owners of MI Cape Town, was happy and thrilled to welcome the group of experts to the side. He mentioned the unit will work together towards developing and building Mumbai Indians’ brand of cricket.

“I’m happy to welcome Simon and Hashim on MI Cape Town coaching team. Together with James and Robin, we’ll be a team that will grow the MI brand of cricket in South Africa and bring to this cricket loving country the values and ethos MI stands for,” said Akash.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Former Australia batter Simon Katich has parted ways with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ??less than ??two months before the tournament kicks-off in Mumbai.

According to a report in InsideSport, Katich’s decision is sparked by the calls taken by SRH co-owner Kaviya Maran at the recently-concluded IPL auction.

West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran was bought for Rs 10.75 lakhs despite having a horrendous season for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the UAE, while his teammate Romario Shepherd, who has not featured in a single IPL game, was signed up for Rs 7.75 lakhs. Notably, all the calls at the auction table were taken by Kaviya, with cricket legends in form of Brian Lara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tom Moody, and Katich himself being mere spectators.

Well, this is not the first incident where the Sunrisers management has come under scrutiny. They sacked Aussie star David Warner from captaincy in the middle of the tournament in IPL 2021 and were heavily criticised for their decision by cricket pundits and SRH fans. Not only this much, SRH also dropped Warner from their playing XI in the later stage?s of the competition.

Since last season, Trevor Bayliss and Brad Haddin have also resigned from their coaching job.

For the upcoming IPL, SRH have recruited Simon Helmot as assistant coach. Helmot, 50, was previously part of the Hyderabad’s coaching staff from 2012 to 2019. He also coached Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to the CPL title in 2015.

Kane Williamson will be leading the team in IPL 2022.

Sunrisers Hyderabad squad:

Kane Williamson (c), Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, Washington Sundar, Nicholas Pooran, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kum??ar, Priyam Garg, Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma, Kartik Tyagi, Shreyas Gopal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Romario Shepherd, Sean Abbott, R Samarth, Shashank Singh, Saurabh Dubey, Vishnu Vinod, Glenn Phillips, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Simon Katich has stepped down as head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the IPL franchise announced at a press conferenc?e on Saturday.

“Simon Katich, the head coach of the RCB, has decided to step down. It’s mainly due to personal reasons. We, as management, completely support his decision and back him on this,” Rajesh Menon, the vice-president and head of RCB, said.

Mike Hesson, RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, will also be their head coach for the upcoming second leg of IPL 2021.

“We would like to thank Simon Katich for his work during his time at RCB and wish him all success in the future. In RCB, we always have a business continuity plan, and as per the business continuity plan, Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties of head coach until the end of this tournament,” Menon added.

“We all know, Mike Hesson has been coaching the New Zealand cricket team and other cricket teams for the last 15-20 years. So Mike will be stepping into this position till the end of this tournament, and he will also be holding the existing role of Director of Cricket Operations.”

🔊 ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊@CoachHesson takes over as head coach for the remainder of #IPL2021 after Simon Katich made himself unavailable due to personal reasons. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/MQ8ErjqMZI

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021

Katich, who was appointed head coach of the RCB in August 2019, played a key role in reviving the fortunes of Virat Kohli & Co. over the last two years. Under Katich, RCB reached the play-offs in IPL 2020 – the first time they managed to do so since 2016. RCB were at the third spot in the points table until IPL 2021 got postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases in the bio-bubble.

The IPL 2021 will resume? from Sept??ember 19 in the UAE.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Bowling yorkers is one of the most quintessential factors in white-ball cricket. A bo??wler who is able to bowl yorkers consistently is highly valued in the limited-overs format.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) traditionally has struggled in t?heir bowling department. There have been various instances when RCB had to face defeat due to the inefficacies in their bowling unit, despite posting daunting totals.

This time around, under the watch of head coach Simon Katich and bowling coach Adam Griffith, RCB is lo?oking to make amends of their shortcomin?gs in the bowling department.

The coaching staff devised an innovative training drill to help RCB bowlers to nail their yorkers. They kept a stump at the blockhole area and encouraged bowlers to hit the yorkers consistently.