Joe Root is set to return to England's ODI squad for the opening game against India for the first time in the format since the 2023 World Cup. Root's inclusion aims to bolster England's middle-order. He recently excelled in the SA20 competition with both bat and ball.
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Axar Patel's elevation to the No. 5 slot in the Indian cricket team lineup has paid off, as he proved his batting prowess with significant contributions, including a crucial knock of 47 runs in the T20 World Cup final. His performance demonstrates his capability as a batting allrounder, complementing his left-arm spin and reliable fielding skills.
Axar Patel attributes his rapid development as an all-rounder to increased self-belief. He played a key role in India's Champions Trophy win over New Zealand and emphasizes the importance of his promotion in batting order. He also commends Varun Chakravarthy for his impactful performance, highlighting his challenging bowling pace and the difficulty in reading his deliveries.
India secured a dominant 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I at Mumbai, wrapping up the series 4-1. Abhishek Sharma's 279 runs in the series and Varun Chakravarthy's 14 wickets underlined the home team's brilliance. With young talents knocking on the doors of 50-overs cricket, the upcoming ODI series is pivotal for seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The third season of the International League T20 (ILT20) will commence on January 11, 2025, in Dubai, featuring 34 matches over a month. The opening match will see Dubai Capitals against defending champions MI Emirates. Teams have finalised their squads, with updates including new players like Phil Salt, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar before the tournament.
India and New Zealand, both unbeaten, will face off in the final Group A match of the Champions Trophy with a chance to top the group. India have shown vulnerability against spin during their two matches in the tournament so far, which the New Zealand spinners led by captain Mitchell Santner could exploit.
In a notable SA20 debut, 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 97 off 51 balls, leading Paarl Royals to a dominant nine-wicket win against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Pretorius, focusing on team success over personal milestones, received significant support from Joe Root. Despite a strong innings by Aiden Markram, Royals’ bowlers restricted Sunrisers to 175/5, ensuring a confident victory.
West Indies women snapped their nine-match losing streak against India with a resounding nine-wicket victory in the second T20I. Hayley Matthews' unbeaten 85 overshadowed Smriti Mandhana's elegant 62 as the West Indies chased down India's 159/9 with ease.
Joburg Super Kings defeated league leaders Paarl Royals by seven wickets as their skipper Faf du Plessis led the run-chase with a commanding 87 from 55 deliveries to comfortably go past Royals' total of 150 for 9.
Niki Prasad, once overlooked for the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup, has been chosen as India's captain for the 2025 edition after leading the team to victory at the U-19 Asia Cup. She emphasises teamwork and draws inspiration from Harmanpreet Kaur, preparing to defend their title in Malaysia.
India faced a daunting task on Day 3 of the Test match against Australia. Mitchell Starc's fiery spell dismantled the Indian top order, including Virat Kohli, who continued his lean patch with a score of just 3. Former cricketer Deep Dasgupta suggested Kohli focus on a more restrained approach initially to regain his form.