Harbhajan Singh argues India will likely have an edge over Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy by being more familiar with Dubai pitches. He highlights opportunities for players like Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh in Jasprit Bumrah's absence and supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to prove their worth despite recent criticism.
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The BCCI announced that Renuka Singh Thakur and captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be rested for the home ODI series against Ireland. Smriti Mandhana will captain the team, with the series starting on January 10 in Rajkot. Harmanpreet is recovering from knee injury, while Renuka is rested to manage her workload.
Australia secured a spot in the World Test Championship final by defeating India in the fifth Test in Sydney. The win also marked Australia's first series win against India in a decade. Captain Pat Cummins expressed his delight at holding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and qualifying for the WTC final. Australia will face South Africa in June.
Mumbai Indians' pacer Trent Boult took his 30th wicket in the opening over of an IPL match, surpassing other bowlers as the top performer in this category. During MI's home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, Boult dismissed Sunil Narine early. This achievement highlights Boult's crucial role in the team. Both teams made key changes in their lineup for the match.
Shubman Gill showcased his batting prowess with an impressive 52-ball 46 against Pakistan in Dubai, reminiscent of master balster Sachin Tendulkar's style. After a challenging tour in Australia, Gill has returned to form, hitting a century against Karnataka and excelling in recent matches. He enjoys a successful partnership with Rohit Sharma, providing thrilling performances in ODIs.
Temba Bavuma leads South Africa to their eighth Test win in nine matches as captain with a 10-wicket victory against Pakistan, securing a 2-0 series triumph. This feat puts Bavuma in an elite group of captains, achieving the most victories in their first nine Tests.
Pakistan's Azam Khan lauded teammate Saim Ayub's unbeaten 98-run knock against South Africa despite a seven-wicket loss in the second T20I. Ayub's impressive innings, featuring 11 boundaries and 5 sixes, anchored Pakistan's 206/5 total. Khan emphasized the importance of consistent opportunities for players to perform at their best.
SRH captain Pat Cummins is not concerned about the back-to-back defeats in IPL 2025. Despite losses to Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, he feels it's too early to worry. Cummins considers slight adjustments could change their fortunes. Delhi Capitals' Mitchell Starc credited teamwork for their win, while skipper Axar Patel praised the execution of their plans.
With the arrival of New Zealand legend Tim Southee as captain, the Sharjah Warriorz are optimistic about improving their ILT20 performance. The team has a promising mix of experience and youth. Southee is looking forward to working with head coach JP Duminy. Significant players like Jason Roy and Adam Milne are expected to make game-changing impacts.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri attributes Sam Konstas' on-field aggression to youthful exuberance during his Test debut against India. Shastri advises Konstas to focus on scoring runs and believes the upcoming Sri Lanka tour will aid his growth. Ricky Ponting notes Konstas must adjust his aggressive play to succeed as a Test opener.
Nathan McSweeney, after a challenging debut against India, is pleased to be recalled for Australia's Test series in Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing spin bowling in Lanka but is prepared and confident. The series, starting January 29, will be a crucial opportunity for McSweeney to prove his abilities.