Australia’s captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat in the fourth Test against India at the MCG. India fielded two spinners, with Nitish Kumar Reddy replacing Shubman Gill. The series is tied 1-1, making this Boxing Day Test crucial. Both teams made notable changes to their playing XIs.
Related news
Joburg Super Kings bolstered their playoff hopes with a decisive victory over Paarl Royals, led by Faf du Plessis' 87 off 55 balls. Spinner Donovan Ferreira's three wickets significantly restricted Royals. Despite injury challenges and inconsistency, the team remains optimistic about the playoffs. Ferraira highlighted calm leadership from Du Plessis for their steadiness.
Paarl Royals captain David Miller expresses his excitement for the upcoming SA20 season, praising the addition of experienced players like Joe Root and Dinesh Karthik. Miller highlights Root's on-field performance and off-field influence, alongside Karthik's extensive experience, which he believes will significantly benefit the team.
KKR's Venkatesh Iyer acknowledges pressure from his high transfer fee. He looks forward to collaborating with vice-captain Dwayne Bravo, under captain Ajinkya Rahane. Mentor Dwayne Bravo and head coach Chandrakant Pandit express confidence in the team's preparations. Rahane, honoured to lead, emphasises playing simple and teamwork. Team gears up for the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
India fought hard to draw the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja scored crucial half-centuries, and the tailenders saved India from a follow-on. The series is now level at 1-1, with two matches remaining in Melbourne and Sydney. India's top order needs to perform better in the upcoming matches.
Jitesh Sharma, the RCB star, attributes his passion for wicketkeeping to Adam Gilchrist, emphasizing the importance of technique. He focuses on maintaining a 'box' alignment for optimal defensive positioning. After stints with Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, RCB acquired him for Rs 11 crore ahead of IPL 2025, where he has already shown promising form.
Significant upgrades have been made to Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium, including new chairs, state-of-the-art LED lights, and large digital replay screens, enhancing the overall spectator and broadcast experience. New hospitality enclosures are nearly complete, for players and officials. Pakistan will start their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
England have decided to play against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy match in Lahore on February 26, despite calls for a boycott from over 160 British politicians. The ECB believes that a coordinated international approach will be more effective and wants to support ordinary Afghans who gain enjoyment from watching their national team.
Michael Clarke, former Australian cricket captain, has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Clarke, known for his outstanding performance, achieved over 8600 Test runs, 28 centuries, and a triple century at the SCG. Praised for his leadership, especially after the tragic death of Phil Hughes, Clarke expressed his honor during the Sydney ceremony.
New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semifinal, setting up a title clash with India. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson's centuries propelled New Zealand to 362 for 6, while South Africa's response fell short despite David Miller's unbeaten century. The final is set for March 9 in Dubai.
Sri Lanka's cricket coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, reviewed their 2-0 Test series loss to South Africa, emphasizing the batsmen's failure to convert starts into centuries. He highlighted the missed opportunity for a World Test Championship Final spot, praising Kamindu Mendis's consistent performance despite the team's struggles. Sri Lanka now prepares to host Australia for two Tests in January.