India's premier off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket and received a heartfelt send-off from the Indian team in Brisbane. Due to time constraints, a full farewell gathering wasn't possible. An emotional Ashwin delivered a touching speech in the dressing room before departing, receiving a special jersey from Australian captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
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Cricketer Aakash Chopra has revealed his top five T20I batsmen of 2024. India's Rohit Sharma tops the list, lauded for his consistency and aggressive captaincy during the World Cup. England's Phil Salt and Jos Buttler secure second and fifth place respectively, showcasing their explosive batting prowess.
Opener Matthew Breetzke scored a record-breaking 150 on his ODI debut, helping South Africa reach 304-6 against New Zealand in Pakistan. His innings included 11 fours and five sixes. South Africa, missing several key players, had four debutants in this game. This tri-nation series serves as a warm-up for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Quetta Gladiators' bowler Usman Tariq faces scrutiny as his bowling action was reported as suspect during a Pakistan Super League T20 match against Lahore Qalandars. This isn't the first time Tariq's action has been questioned; he was previously reported last year.
Babar Azam, once Pakistan's premier batter, has seen a steady decline in performances in recent years, particularly in major tournaments. Despite his impressive record, he struggles with technical issues against spinners, leading to severe criticism from former players and fans. Cricket legends suggest technical improvements for a comeback.
The Gulf Giants secured a thrilling two-wicket win over MI Emirates in ILT20 Season 3, overcoming early setbacks and a tough bowling attack. Key contributions from Tom Alsop, Gerhard Erasmus, Tom Curran, and Mark Adair were crucial. Aayan Khan's last-over heroics sealed the victory, moving the team to fifth place on the points table.
Trisha Gongadi became the first player to score a century in women's U-19 T20 World Cup history, leading India to a 150-run victory over Scotland with an unbeaten 110 off 59 balls. India posted 208 for 1, with support from Kamalini G and Sanika Chalke. Scotland were bowled out for 58, with Ayushi Shukla taking 4 wickets for 8 runs.
West Indies fast bowling legend Andy Roberts lauded Mohammed Shami as India's best bowler, praising his control and swing. Roberts questioned India's decision to bat first in the second Test against Australia. Though injured, Shami's recent strong domestic performances raise hopes for his return to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a series currently tied 1-1.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra emphasizes the necessity of adapting to Dubai's unique pitch conditions for the Champions Trophy final against India. Despite New Zealand's limited experience on this pitch, Ravindra remains optimistic about their preparation and aims to deliver a stronger performance than in their previous encounter with India.
Australia's Cricket Board has awarded young batter Sam Konstas with his first central contract for the 2025-26 season after his impressive debut performance against India. Matthew Kuhnemann, cleared after a suspect bowling action report, and all-rounder Beau Webster also made the list. Australia are set to play crucial matches, including the World Test Championship final and the Ashes this year.
India and New Zealand clash in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. Key factors include Matt Henry's pace, Varun Chakravarthy's spin, and the batting prowess of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. The pitch conditions are crucial, favoring spinners. India benefited from Rohit Sharma's opening starts despite criticism.