With the fourth Test at the MCG crucial for India, decisions hinge on whether to include an extra pacer or spinner, considering pitch conditions and recent team performances. Bumrah’s exceptional form remains vital, but reliance on his support bowlers and overall team performance is critical.
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Suryakumar Yadav became just the fifth Indian to reach 8000 runs in T20s during Mumbai Indians' 8-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday in IPL. With a swift score of 27* off nine balls, Yadav's performance marked MI's 24th win against KKR. Ashwani Kumar excelled with 4/24 on his debut, leading MI to their first win this season.
A debate ignited over Rohit Sharma's batting position for the Brisbane Test. Sunil Gavaskar suggested Rohit return to opening, with KL Rahul at No. 6. Matthew Hayden, while initially opposing changes, mistakenly referred to "Rahul Dravid," attributing it to Dravid's memorable Adelaide double century from 2003/04.
Greg Chappell analyzes how cricket legends like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Joe Root face their eventual decline, termed "Elite Performance Decline Syndrome." He observes subtle shifts in their approach, marked by increased caution and a struggle to recapture peak fluency.
Rohit Sharma reached the milestone of 11,000 runs in one-day internationals, becoming the second-fastest to achieve it. He reached this feat during India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh in Dubai. Rohit is now the fourth Indian to reach this landmark.
Top Indian cricketers attended BCCI's annual Naman awards in Mumbai, where Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana won the Best International Cricketer of the Year awards. Notably, Virat Kohli was absent due to his participation in a Ranji Trophy match in Delhi. Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and ICC chief Jay Shah were among the event's notable attendees.
India's bowling attack faces uncertainty as Mohammed Shami's knee swelling delays his return to the Test series against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is also a concern after an injury scare in Adelaide. While Rohit Sharma backs Harshit Rana despite a wicketless second Test, the team is cautiously monitoring Shami and exploring options like Mukesh Kumar as potential replacements.
Ajinkya Rahane, initially almost unsold, now leads Kolkata Knight Riders as captain after a remarkable performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. Despite being relieved from his captaincy at Rajasthan Royals, Rahane is confident and ready, with KKR aiming to defend their title.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam led Pakistan's fightback with a record 205-run opening stand against South Africa after following on in the second Test. Masood remained unbeaten on 102, while Babar scored 81. Pakistan ended day three at 213 for one, still needing 208 runs to make South Africa bat again.
Kusal Perera's blistering 101 off 46 balls powered Sri Lanka to a thrilling seven-run win over New Zealand in the third T20 match, securing a consolation victory. Despite earlier series losses, Perera's record-breaking century, alongside partnerships with Avishka Fernando and Charith Asalanka, showcased the visitors' resilience. New Zealand fought hard but fell short at 211-7.
Former Indian coach, Lalchand Rajput, praised the International League T20 for transforming UAE cricket by boosting the national team's performance with international player participation. Under Rajput's leadership, the UAE achieved significant milestones, including qualifying for the 2025 Asia Cup. He highlighted key players like Muhammad Waseem and Dhruv Parashar for their promising performances.