In a crucial ODI series against England, Rohit Sharma aims to reaffirm his dominance in Indian cricket with his aggressive batting style, while Virat Kohli seeks to add to his illustrious ODI legacy and surpass the 14,000-run milestone. Both players, with their past glory, strive for new achievements. For Rohit, this series is more than just another assignment; it is a reaffirmation of his position as India’s batting bedrock. The 2023 ODI World Cup saw him revolutionize India’s approach to the format, his fearless starts propelling the team to within inches of the title.
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Pakistan Cricket Board will send Saim Ayub to London for treatment after he fractured his right ankle during the second Test against South Africa. Ayub's injury has caused concern over his Champions Trophy availability. He will consult a specialist in London and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will accompany him.
Virat Kohli's confrontation with debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test is expected to be reviewed by the ICC. Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for instigating thecontact. Match referee Andy Pycroft might deem it a Level Two offence, risking a suspension for Kohli. Alyssa Healy criticised Kohli's behaviour, highlighting its impact on the young Australian player.
The BCCI mandated participation in domestic matches for national team selection and imposed restrictions on personal staff and families during tours after India’s poor performance in Australia. Players are also prohibited from personal shoots or endorsements during series, with non-compliance attracting penalties including fee cuts and potential IPL bans.
India cricketers Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana defended head coach Gautam Gambhir after heavy criticism following India's 1-3 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The debate intensified as former player Manoj Tiwary also criticized Gambhir, despite some successful T20I performances under his tenure.
Mumbai allrounder Tanush Kotian has been asked to be ready for the first flight out Down Under, ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Kotian will come in as a replacement for R Ashwin - who announced his retirement after the third Test.
Karnataka cricketers Prasidh Krishna and Devdutt Padikkal, along with Tamil Nadu's Washington Sundar, will join the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches following their Border-Gavaskar Trophy involvement. KL Rahul opted for a break, while decisions on his Ranji Trophy participation will be made later.
The IPL and PSL schedules overlap for the first time, prompting the PCB to seek top international players such as David Warner and Adil Rashid for the T20 league. While stars like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson may be unavailable, a strong line-up including Daryl Mitchell and Alex Hales is still expected for the PSL.
Bengal keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha received a guard of honour during the Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, marking his retirement from all cricket forms. Saha's career includes 141 First-Class matches and 40 Tests for India. The 40-year-old veteran last represented India in December 2021 against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.
Australia, India, and England, along with the ICC, are reportedly discussing a two-tier Test cricket system to have the big three nations play each other more often. This proposed system may start after 2027, potentially changing the current format and reducing the need for these teams to play against many other nations.
Shreyas Iyer continues to shine in domestic cricket with a stunning century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 312 runs in four matches. In contrast, India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav struggles with consecutive ducks. Karun Nair sets a world record with 542 runs in five games before dismissal, leading Vidarbha to an unbeaten run.