Kerala and Gujarat have progressed to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals in contrasting fashions. Kerala narrowly edged Jammu and Kashmir by a one-run first-innings lead, while Gujarat dominated Saurashtra with an innings and 98 runs win. Despite not having players in the top 20 run-scorers, both teams exhibit strong team spirit and determination to excel.
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India's 2024 cricket journey saw mixed results, culminating in a disappointing loss to Australia. The team aims for a stronger 2025, facing key tournaments like the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. Notable events include the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, England Tests and ODIs, and possibly World Test Championship final at Lord's.
Steve Smith is set to lead Australia in the Test against Sri Lanka, and is just one run away from reaching 10,000 Test runs. Stand-in captain for the unavailable Pat Cummins, Smith downplayed the milestone and is focused on the match. Australia aim to strengthen its position as top-ranked, while Sri Lanka seeks to reclaim the Warne-Murali Trophy.
Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine led the team with 75 runs, supported by Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, to reach 243 against Afghanistan. Rashid Khan took four wickets for 94 runs. Afghanistan struggled in their second innings, trailing by 40 runs at 46-3, with Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza causing early damage.
Cricket Australia announced that spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who played a key role in the Test series victory in Sri Lanka, has been cited for a suspect bowling action. He will undergo tests to determine the legitimacy of his action, and if found illegal, he will be prohibited from bowling until corrected.
KL Rahul emerged as a key player in India's Champions Trophy triumph, showcasing his talent through crucial performances in several matches. His effective approach against spin and calm presence under pressure were acknowledged by teammates, including captain Rohit Sharma. Rahul emphasized the importance of contributing to the team's needs in his wicketkeeper-batter role.
West Indies cricketer Alzarri Joseph faced a penalty for using inappropriate language towards the fourth umpire during the first ODI against Bangladesh. He was fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
India secured a dominant 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I at Mumbai, wrapping up the series 4-1. Abhishek Sharma's 279 runs in the series and Varun Chakravarthy's 14 wickets underlined the home team's brilliance. With young talents knocking on the doors of 50-overs cricket, the upcoming ODI series is pivotal for seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The Vidarbha Cricket Association awarded Rs 3 crore to its Ranji Trophy-winning team. Harsh Dubey received Rs 25 lakh for setting a season record, while Karun Nair and Yash Rathod got Rs 10 lakh each. Support staff were also recognized. Veteran player Akshay Wakhare was honored at his retirement, praised by former player Faiz Fazal.
India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed he will play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, starting from January 23 at the MCA-BKC Ground. Rohit highlighted the importance of balancing international and domestic cricket while stressing the need for breaks to maintain fitness.
The third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) begins on February 14 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing Gujarat Giants in Vadodara. RCB's title defense is challenged by key player absences due to injuries. Gujarat Giants have appointed Ashleigh Gardner as captain, aiming for better performance this season.