Australia dominated the first Test against Sri Lanka, posting 654-6 declared thanks to Usman Khawaja's double century and Josh Inglis' debut ton. Sri Lanka struggled, ending Day 2 at 44-3. Key contributions came from Steve Smith, reaching 10,000 Test runs with 141, and left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc with early wickets.
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The Indian cricket team has arrived in Brisbane for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting December 14th at the Gabba. The series is currently tied 1-1. The Gabba pitch is expected to offer its traditional pace and bounce, but its fresher pre-Christmas condition might play a different role compared to India's 2021 victory there in January.
Steve Smith is set to lead Australia in the Test against Sri Lanka, and is just one run away from reaching 10,000 Test runs. Stand-in captain for the unavailable Pat Cummins, Smith downplayed the milestone and is focused on the match. Australia aim to strengthen its position as top-ranked, while Sri Lanka seeks to reclaim the Warne-Murali Trophy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a 50-run victory over Chennai Super Kings with crucial early wickets during Power Play overs. Bowler Josh Hazlewood's excellent performance and skipper Rajat Patidar's quick-fire 51 played key roles. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad acknowledged fielding lapses and a higher-than-par target as decisive factors.
Sunil Gavaskar criticized the selection of Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube in the fourth T20I against England in Pune, calling it unfair and not like-for-like. Rana, primarily a pacer, replaced the concussed all-rounder Dube, helping India win but sparking controversy. Gavaskar argues such substitutions tarnish victories and should be reassessed.
Nitish Reddy's remarkable unbeaten century as India's lower-order batsman, accompanied by his guidance to Mohammed Siraj, bolstered the team's performance in the Boxing Day Test. Former coach Ravi Shastri proposes Reddy's promotion in the batting order to enhance India's balance and strategy for the final Test in Sydney. India's batting has appeared fragile, especially with skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant struggling for runs in the five-Test series so far.
Following a thrilling victory against Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals face the challenge of hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at their 'second home' in Visakhapatnam. With KL Rahul's return bolstering their lineup, Delhi aim to build on their momentum, while Sunrisers seek redemption after a tough loss against LSG.
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been appointed captain of the Desert Vipers for the upcoming ILT20 season, replacing Colin Munro. The 33-year-old signed a two-year deal and aims to lead the team to victory after their runner-up finish last season. Ferguson emphasizes an aggressive, wicket-taking approach as captain and empowering players.
Dropped from Australia's Test squad after a string of low scores against India, Nathan McSweeney bounced back with a match-winning 78 for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. The 25-year-old reflected on his Test experience and advice received from teammate Marnus Labuschagne, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and growth.
Srinagar Ke Veer reached the ISPL season 2 final by defeating Falcon Risers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Sagar Ali’s unbeaten 53 off 26 balls, including five sixes, was crucial. Despite early setbacks, Sagar and Sanskar Dhyani's 64-run partnership clinched the win. Hyderabad’s Mansoor KL scored 46 not out, recovering the team from 24 for 5.
India narrowly escaped a follow-on scare against Australia in the Gabba Test, thanks to a crucial 47-run partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. Akash Deep's composed 31 runs proved vital, sparking celebrations in the Indian dressing room. With the series tied 1-1, the Melbourne Boxing Day Test promises a thrilling decider.