CANBERRA, Nov 29, 2024 – Even with the return of India’s skipper Rohit Sharma, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his preference for K.L. Rahul to continue opening the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second Test against Australia. Rahul’s successful stint at the top of the order in the series opener in Perth, filling in for the absent Rohit, has led Pujara to suggest that the team should stick with the winning combination.

In a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test, Jaiswal scored a memorable century, while Rahul contributed solidly with scores of 26 and 77. Pujara, who has been a cornerstone of India’s batting in previous tours to Australia, feels that changing a winning formula could disrupt the momentum gained from such a comprehensive win.

Pujara’s Ideal Batting Order

During a chat with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara stated: “If we can carry on with the same batting order, like KL and Yashasvi opening, Rohit could come in at three, and Shubman could come in at five.” He further emphasized, “If Rohit wants to open, KL should bat at No. 3. Nothing later than that. I think he has to bat at the top of the order, because it suits his game really well. I hope we don’t tinker around with that.”

Shubman Gill’s Role in the Line-up

With Shubman Gill set to return after missing the first Test due to a thumb injury, Pujara believes the right time for Gill to come in would be at No. 5. “Ideally, No. 5 for Gill,” Pujara explained. “That allows him to play his natural game – if we lose a couple of early wickets, he can negotiate the new ball, and if he comes in later, he can play his shots freely.”

Pujara also noted that this batting order would help protect Rishabh Pant, ensuring he doesn’t have to face the new ball, which could be challenging for the left-hander. “I wouldn’t want him to walk in when the ball is hard and new,” Pujara added.

Warm-up Game Ahead of Pink-ball Test

As India prepares for the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, a two-day warm-up game against the Australian PM’s XI in Canberra will provide the team with a chance to test out combinations and fine-tune strategies. This match will be crucial for assessing the fitness of players like Gill and further determining the best batting order for the series.

With the team showing strong form and a well-balanced line-up, the upcoming Tests promise to be thrilling as India looks to continue their success on Australian soil.

CANBERRA, Nov 29, 2024 – Shubman Gill was back in the nets on Friday, showing promising signs of recovery from the thumb injury that had ruled him out of India’s series opener against Australia in Perth. Gill’s return was welcomed by fans and teammates alike, especially after his stellar performances during India’s previous tour Down Under. While India’s victory by 295 runs in the first Test made his absence less impactful, the team will be eager to have him firing on all cylinders for the rest of the five-match series.

Gill, who was seen facing bowlers Yash Dayal and Akash Deep, is gearing up for the upcoming pink-ball warm-up match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, set to begin Saturday. His return to full fitness is a key development as India looks to strengthen their top order in the remaining matches.

What’s Next for India’s Batting Line-up?
In Gill’s absence, Devdutt Padikkal had stepped in at number three but struggled to make an impact. However, the bigger question remains: where will Gill slot into the batting order once he’s back to full fitness?

With K.L. Rahul’s impressive showing as an opener in Perth in Rohit Sharma’s absence, speculation is rife about potential changes in India’s batting line-up. Rohit Sharma is expected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Rahul could be pushed down to number three, potentially leaving Gill to bat at number five.

The warm-up match against the Australian PM’s XI could provide the perfect opportunity for India to experiment with their batting order, as all players will have a chance to bat, given that it’s not a first-class fixture.

Looking Ahead
As India prepares for the remainder of the series, the return of Shubman Gill adds much-needed depth and flexibility to their top order. The team management will be keen to assess his fitness in the warm-up game, and perhaps try out different combinations to ensure they hit the ground running for the next Test.

Stay tuned as the India-Australia series heats up, with plenty of action expected in the coming days!

The J&K Sports Council today conducted the screening for the 32nd Junior National Fencing Championship (Boys & Girls) 2024-25 at the Indoor Fencing Hall, M.A. Stadium Jammu. A total of 24 talented players have been selected to represent Jammu and Kashmir at the prestigious event, which is scheduled to be held in Patna, Bihar, from November 29.

The selected players are: Sufyan Waheed Sohil, Sohit Thakur, Yuvraj Singh, Ranvir Singh, Manjot, Tanmay Gupta, Aanzar, Aadhar Khajuria, Vatsal Gandotra, Harshit Kohli, Amish Sharma, Vaibhav Abrol, Yashassvi, Diksha, Twinkle Gupta, Muskan, Simarleen Kour, Suhani Singh, Vanya Gupta, Ashwaithie, Chavvi Sharma, Sarvagya Sharma, Subhanya Sharma, and Bhavya Jamwal.

The screening process was carried out under the supervision of the J&K Sports Council’s Screening Committee, which included Divisional Sports Officer S. Balwinder Singh, Arjuna Awardee Mrs. Krupali Singh, and other distinguished international and national players such as Javed Ahmed, Maninder Pal Singh, Adarsh Slathia, Anuradha Sharma, and Gourav Thakur.

The selected players will now represent Jammu and Kashmir in the national championship, where they will compete against the best fencers from across the country. The J&K Sports Council has extended its best wishes to the players and hopes for a successful outing at the event.

The J&K Sub Junior Taekwondo Team was officially flagged off today for the upcoming 38th National Sub Junior Kyorugi and 13th National Sub Junior Poomsae Taekwondo Championships, set to take place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana.

The flag-off ceremony, held at MA Stadium, Jammu, was attended by Baljinder Pal Singh, Divisional Sports Officer, Jammu (JKSC), and Krupali Singh, Manager of MA Stadium. The team had undergone an intensive Pre-Participation Coaching Camp organized by the J&K Sports Council from November 18 to 27, 2024, under the expert supervision of Atul Pangotra.

The ceremony was graced by Ramesh Chander Sharma, General Secretary of the J&K Taekwondo Association (JKTA), and Chandeep Singh, an international Taekwondo athlete, both of whom extended their encouragement and best wishes to the young athletes.

Selected Athletes for the National Championships

The selected players for the championships are as follows:

Sub Junior Boys:

• Ameer Ahmad Dar (Under 21 kg)
• Divyaansh Khametra (Under 23 kg)
• Nahil Farooq (Under 25 kg)
• Mohammad Ibrahim Mengnoo (Under 27 kg)
• Samrat Singh (Under 29 kg)
• Ayaan Sharma (Under 32 kg)
• Aflaq Ahmad (Under 35 kg)
• Toufeeq Firdous (Under 38 kg)
• Nazer Parvaiz (Under 41 kg)
• Abrar Ashraf (Under 44 kg)
• Arman Ali (Under 50 kg)
• Umer Qadir (Over 50 kg)
• Rehaan Gupta (Individual Poomsae)
• Ayaan Sharma (Pair Poomsae)
• Naeil Ud Din (Boys Team Poomsae)
• Zaid Ibn Aamir (Boys Team Poomsae)
• Mrigesh Spolia (Boys Team Poomsae)

Sub Junior Girls:

• Aayat Rouf (Under 20 kg)
• Anika Aijaz (Under 24 kg)
• Kritika Raina (Under 26 kg)
• Sana Chouhan (Under 29 kg)
• Ruksana Akther (Under 32 kg)
• Sudhanya Sharma (Under 35 kg)
• Palak Sanmotra (Under 38 kg)
• Aleena Hassan (Under 41 kg)
• Ayesha Binti Aamir (Under 47 kg)
• Sukriti Sharma (Over 47 kg)
• Ritambra Sharma (Individual Poomsae)
• Nittya Nand Vardhayni (Pair Poomsae)

The team will be led by coaches Burhan Ud Din Khan (Kyorugi Boys), Shah Faisal (Kyorugi Girls), and Mohsin Ali (Poomsae Team). The team will also be supported by managers Siddharth Sharma (Kyorugi Team) and Shanaz Parveen.

The players are set to showcase their skills and compete at the national level, representing Jammu and Kashmir in both Kyorugi and Poomsae categories.