Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Langer confident his young Australian side will hit back against India

Australian coach Justin Langer has praised the tough attitude of his young side in the 31-run loss in the first Test against India, but added that the visitors thoroughly outplayed them in the series opener of the four-match series.

Langer also hoped for a juicy wicket at the new Perth stadium that will host its first-ever Test from Friday.


"A lot of coaches who lose say the same thing. There's a lot of really positive stuff. We got so close, didn't we? There were a few key moments in the game but overall we fought really well, we fielded really well, there was great energy. We caught well, and probably just didn't spend as much time in our partnerships with our batting as we would have liked," said Langer before departing for Perth.

"Two out of the last three Tests the Australian cricket team's shown great fighting spirit to draw in Dubai and we just lost yesterday. We're getting closer with this young team," said Langer.

He said the the pitch got easier to bat on and on day five, Australia almost pulled off a record chase.

"I knew that it'd get easier to bat on the drop-in wicket in Adelaide. Unfortunately we just weren't able to (string partnerships) as we were losing wickets at crucial moments. If we'd have been two or three down overnight it might've been a different ball game, but it wasn't the case.

"India outplayed us, there's no doubt about that. There was no point in the game where I felt we were on top of India. To their great credit they were more patient than us and they bowled really well," he said.

The new stadium at Perth has hosted only a couple international games, and this will be its first big game with the Indian team coming to town. A fast and bouncy pitch is the talk of town for the maiden Test at this new stadium.

"Hopefully that's what it was traditionally at the WACA, and that's what we've talked about for a long time, pace and bounce. If we can get that, it'd be a great thing for Test cricket.

"I'm really fascinated and can't wait to see what the Optus Stadium wicket brings. There's been one four-day game in its history there. I went and watched a bit of the Shield game, New South Wales and Western Australia. There was certainly some pace and bounce.

"We've seen some pace and bounce in it during the ODI and T20 games, plus a fast outfield. Again it's an unprecedented period - first Test match on a drop-in wicket in Perth at the new stadium. Time will tell what the wicket brings," said the former Australian opener.

Australia have retained the same squad for the second Test, and there have been no additions to cover for Tim Paine, who was hit on his right hand during the second innings. Pacer Chris Tremlain hasn't joined the squad, so it will be a 13-man team in Perth.

The big question for the Australian team management would be if they want to include Mitchell Marsh as the fifth bowling option.

"Paine is the toughest pretty boy I've ever met in my life. Even if it were snapped in about four places he'd still be right. He's absolutely fine. He's obviously had issues with it before but he is 100 per cent ready to go.

"Chris Tremain's not coming over so we've got 13 instead of 14. The three quicks pulled up really well (in the first Test). Peter Siddle's ready to go if we need him to play the Test match, otherwise it's the same squad.

"They've had a couple days off. I would've had three or four days off, but India are in exactly the same situation. It's probably the one area where we just felt we're not wearing down the Indian bowlers enough this Test match. It's going to be hot on Friday and it'll be an important toss I would imagine."

But Langer urged his batsmen to show more patience in the middle if they are to counter the Indian bowling line-up.

"It's Test cricket. Allan Border used to say there's more time in Test cricket than you'll ever imagine, so in batting you can bat so much time. That's one of the messages to our young batsmen Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, and all our guys is there's so much time in Test cricket.

"One of the things we talk about is partnerships and patience, building pressure on the opposition. So it's one of the important virtues of being a successful Test cricketer," he signed off.

More For You

Aryan Khan’s 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' trailer shocks with digs at nepotism and a comic twist on Shah Rukh Khan

The Bads of Bollywood trailer lands with bold humour drama and unexpected industry jabs

Netflix Screengrab

Aryan Khan’s 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' trailer shocks with digs at nepotism and a comic twist on Shah Rukh Khan

Highlights:

  • Aryan Khan makes his directorial debut with Netflix series
  • The Ba**ds of Bollywood trailer teases starry cameos, including Shah Rukh Khan
  • Bobby Deol, Lakshya and Sahher Bambba headline the cast
  • Series premieres worldwide on 18 September

The much-awaited The Ba**ds of Bollywood trailer has finally dropped, marking Aryan Khan’s official entry into the industry as a director. Released by Netflix, the series takes viewers deep into the glamour and chaos of Bollywood, with a fresh satirical spin. Featuring a special cameo by Shah Rukh Khan, it highlights both the allure and the darker realities of the industry, promising a bold new narrative.

The Bads of Bollywood trailer lands with bold humour drama and unexpected industry jabs Netflix Screengrab

Keep ReadingShow less
Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika Mandanna’s five biggest films of 2025 and why her Gond warrior role is the boldest yet

Getty Images

Rashmika Mandanna leads five most awaited pan India films of 2025 including 'Pushpa 3' and 'Mysaa'

Rashmika Mandanna has steadily built her place as one of the most loved stars in Indian cinema. From the breezy charm of Geetha Govindam to the emotional depth of Animal, and more recently with blockbuster turns in Pushpa: The Rise, she has managed to win audiences across languages and industries. Now, she is heading into what looks like one of the busiest and most exciting phases of her career, with films that span genres and styles.

Rashmika Mandanna Rashmika Mandanna’s five biggest films of 2025 and why her Gond warrior role is the boldest yet Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Chandra

Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Chandra embraces Kerala folklore with superhero strength in Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra

Instagram/lokahofficial

‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ shows how superhero costumes can become storytelling devices rooted in Kerala’s cultural heritage

Highlights:

  • Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero film blends tradition and modernity
  • Costume design by Melwy J. and Archana Akhil Rao praised for authenticity
  • Colour symbolism, especially red, drives character arcs and mythology
  • Costumes used as narrative devices rather than just visual styling

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has redefined how superhero cinema can be told in India. The Malayalam blockbuster, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, does far more than just dress the characters; the costumes are a fundamental part of the film's narrative engine. Led by designers Melwy J. and Archana Akhil Rao, the costumes merge Kerala’s deep-rooted folklore with sleek contemporary aesthetics, giving India’s newest cinematic hero an identity that is both culturally authentic and powerfully modern.

Kalyani Priyadarshan\u2019s Chandra Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Chandra embraces Kerala folklore with superhero strength in Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra Instagram/lokahofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Vijay-Mallya-Getty

Vijay Mallya, accused of loan defaults of over about £756 million, has been living in the UK and is contesting extradition. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK team inspects Delhi jail as India pursues extradition of fugitives

INDIA’s efforts to secure the extradition of high-profile economic offenders from the United Kingdom, including Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, have moved forward with a recent visit by a team from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to Tihar Jail in Delhi, an official said on Sunday (September 7).

The CPS delegation visited the prison last week to review jail conditions as required by UK courts before deciding on extradition requests, the official said.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Rise of Non-KYC Gambling Platforms in Emerging Markets

The Rise of Non-KYC Gambling Platforms in Emerging Markets

The online gambling landscape is evolving rapidly, and KYC-free cryptocurrency casinos are at the forefront of this transformation. In emerging markets, where traditional banking infrastructure may be limited or regulatory barriers may be high, players are turning to platforms that allow fast, private, and secure access to blockchain games and new cryptocurrency casinos . Among these platforms, Toshi.bet—as seen on CoinMarketCap —stands out as a prime choice for players seeking reliable rewards, innovative gameplay, and complete transparency .

This article explores the rise of no-KYC gambling platforms , why they attract players in emerging markets, and how Toshi.bet compares to other popular platforms .

Keep ReadingShow less