England's ICC Champions Trophy chances have improved with opener Ben Duckett being declared fit to play. The ECB confirmed Duckett's availability after he recovered from a groin injury. He got injured while fielding in the third ODI against India. England will face Australia in their first tournament match in Lahore on 22 February.
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Shakib Al Hasan, former Bangladesh captain, has been banned from bowling in English cricket competitions due to an illegal action. An assessment revealed his elbow extension exceeded the allowed limit. The ban, effective December 10, 2024, follows a report during his stint with Surrey where he took nine wickets during their loss to Somerset.
Tilak Varma moved to second place among T20 batters and could potentially overtake Travis Head for the top spot with good performances in the next matches. Varun Chakravarthy jumped to fifth among bowlers after a strong showing against England. Adil Rashid regained the No.1 spot among T20I bowlers following three economical performances against India.
Sunrisers Hyderabad set remarkable IPL records last year, reaching 200 runs six times and breaching the 250-run mark thrice. Despite a stellar season, they fell to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Ready for the 2025 season, SRH have retained key players and strengthened the squad, but concerns remain over local talent depth and player fitness. Their journey begins against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella's three-year suspension for a doping violation has been lifted after a successful appeal. The ICC confirmed that Dickwella presented evidence demonstrating the detected substance was not performance-enhancing and he hadn't consumed any banned substances during the Lanka Premier League.
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan believes India’s chances in the ICC Champions Trophy will hinge on the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Muralitharan highlighted India's well-balanced bowling attack, emphasizing the role of spinners on the subcontinent-friendly pitches in the UAE.
Mohammed Shami showcased his form with a three-wicket spell for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy preliminary quarterfinal against Haryana. Despite being slightly expensive, 3 for 61, Shami's performance boosts his prospects for a comeback to the Indian team, having been absent since the 2023 ODI World Cup because of injury and subsequent flare-up issues during rehab.
New Zealand's relatively smaller player pool allows for longer runs and a cohesive team culture. Batter Glenn Phillips believes this advantage helps them perform better in ICC tournaments compared to countries like India, where the intense competition may shorten player opportunities and increase individual pressure.
Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old opening batter, is set to debut for Australia in the Boxing Day Test against India, replacing Nathan McSweeney. Former captain Ricky Ponting acknowledges Konstas's talent and attitude, noting his significant challenge against India's top bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah. Ponting believes Konstas is ready to handle the pressure and maintain his attacking style.
MI Cape Town clinched the top spot in the SA20 league with a dominant 95-run victory over the Pretoria Capitals, maintaining an undefeated home record. Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen starred in a 133-run opening partnership, while off-spinner Dane Piedt's performance earned him Player of the Match honors.
Shubman Gill's century in the ODI against Bangladesh was marked by immense satisfaction and maturity. Despite a slow start, Gill adapted his game to counter Bangladesh's spin pressure, maintaining control and clarity. His innings ensured India’s win, showcasing brilliant strokes and a contained performance, earning him the Player of the Match award.