Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah's batting prowess was on display again as he helped India avoid the follow-on against Australia at the Gabba on Tuesday. His unbeaten 39-run partnership for the 10th wicket came a day after he reminded a reporter of his record 35 runs in a single Test over against Stuart Broad.
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Rashid Khan, after lifting the IPL 2022 trophy, faced setbacks with Mumbai Indians Cape Town (MICT) finishing last in the SA20 league's first two seasons. However, his leadership turnaround in the third season, coupled with strong performances from teammates, culminated in MICT winning the SA20 title, marking a significant achievement for him and the franchise.
Despite his team's unbeaten record, India head coach Gautam Gambhir is still seeking a 'perfect game' for the Champions Trophy final. Post India's semifinal win against Australia, Gambhir emphasized the importance of improvement and keeping players out of their comfort zone to achieve the best results.
India's Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is moving from Mumbai to Goa for the 2025-26 domestic season, taking on the captaincy role. The 23-year-old, after a mixed performance in recent competitions, aims to rediscover his form and make an impact with his new team. Jaiswal follows a growing trend of Mumbai cricketers moving to Goa, a path previously taken by Arjun Tendulkar, Siddhesh Lad, and Eknath Kerkar in recent years.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed concerns over Rohit Sharma's form, highlighting his recent performances, while emphasizing that occasional failures are normal. He praised the team's overall batting performance against England, noting key contributions from Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Axar Patel, despite losing early wickets. Virat Kohli's fitness was also given the green light.
Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 66 off 29 balls led Madhya Pradesh to a seven-wicket victory over Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semi-final. Chasing 147, MP were struggling at 46/3 before Patidar's explosive innings, including six sixes, secured their place in the final against Mumbai. Delhi's innings was restricted to 146/5 despite Anuj Rawat's 33.
Mitchell Santner has been named New Zealand's new white-ball cricket captain, succeeding Kane Williamson. The 32-year-old spinner, a veteran of 243 international matches, will lead the ODI and T20I sides, starting with the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Santner, praised for his calm demeanour and experience, has previously captained the team in several matches.
India turns focus to limited-overs cricket with upcoming T20I and ODI series against England after Test series losses against New Zealand and Australia. The series is pre-cursor to the ICC Champions Trophy which begins on 19 February with India playing a day later in Dubai. Rohit Sharma is expected to captain India in both series.
Shreyas Iyer is considered a crucial asset for Team India in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to his dependable middle-order batting and skill against spin. Despite recent setbacks, Iyer has shown impressive form in domestic cricket, including leading Mumbai to title victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making him a strong contender for the squad.
KL Rahul emerged as a key player in India's Champions Trophy triumph, showcasing his talent through crucial performances in several matches. His effective approach against spin and calm presence under pressure were acknowledged by teammates, including captain Rohit Sharma. Rahul emphasized the importance of contributing to the team's needs in his wicketkeeper-batter role.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, an 18-year-old talent, scored a formidable 83 off 52 balls, leading Paarl Royals to a six-wicket victory over MI Cape Town at Boland Park. Pretorius' excellent performance, aided by teammates, helped the Royals move to joint second place in the SA20 standings.