England enter the Champions Trophy after a 3-0 series loss to India in ODIs. Former batter Mark Butcher pointed at the squad's inexperience in the 50-over format, attributing it to not playing enough ODIs. With only four wins in 14 matches since the 2023 World Cup, England's players, even seasoned ones, lack the experience compared to their opponents.
Related news
Virat Kohli emphasised the importance of having family support during tours, especially during challenging times. He highlighted that family presence brings balance and normalcy. With new BCCI directives limiting family time, Kohli's remarks underline the significance of being able to return to a supportive family environment, helping players manage their intense schedules.
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.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has successfully acquired the Oval Invincibles franchise in The Hundred for £123 million, outbidding other competitors. This addition makes it the sixth global cricket team under their ownership, which already includes franchises such as Mumbai Indians in IPL and WPL, MI Cape Town, MI New York and MI Cape Town.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan advocates for four-day Test matches to keep the format relevant, emphasizing the need to adapt with time. He believes recent matches, like the Sydney Test, justify this change due to their quick conclusions and high entertainment value. Vaughan maintains that a shorter format can sustain the longevity of Test cricket.
Dubai Capitals clinched their first ILT20 title in 2025, thanks to the strategic brilliance of Venugopal Rao and Hemang Badani. Their leadership drove the team's successful campaign, ending with a four-wicket victory over Desert Vipers. Now set to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, their recent triumph fuels high expectations for the upcoming season.
Smriti Mandhana has become the fastest Indian woman to reach 4,000 runs in international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj by achieving the milestone in just 95 innings. Mandhana's achievement places her third globally, behind Australia's Belinda Clark and Meg Lanning. This feat was accomplished during India's victory over Ireland women in the first ODI on Friday.
South Africa secured a 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the second Test in Cape Town, clinching a 2-0 series victory. Despite Pakistan's second-innings fightback led by Shan Masood's 145, South Africa comfortably reached their 58-run target in 7.1 overs. South Africa's bowlers faced challenges from a placid pitch but succeeded, setting them up for the Test championship final against Australia.
Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for health issues. He was admitted on December 21 but has now recovered and is back home. At his discharge, he expressed his determination to continue playing cricket and advised fans to avoid alcohol.
Australia's World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins is in a race against time to recover from an ankle injury ahead of the Champions Trophy. Scans will determine his availability. Meanwhile, Steve Smith will lead the Test team in Cummins's absence for the Sri Lanka tour. Josh Hazlewood, also injured, is expected to be fit for the Champions Trophy.
Mayank Agarwal was one of the key reasons behind Karnataka winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) for a record fifth time in the 2024-25 edition. Mayank finished as the edition's second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 651 runs in 10 matches. However, Mayank's glorious run arrived after perseverance under immense pressure internally and externally. The cricketer was motivated to send a message to those who wrote him off.