The Boxing Day Test saw debutant Sam Konstas confront Virat Kohli on the first day, leading to Kohli's fine by the ICC after an accidental shoulder-bump. Despite Kohli's patient innings, he fell for 36 runs, intensifying their on-field rivalry as Konstas celebrated Kohli's dismissal vigorously.
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Pakistan cricket team achieved a historic first-ever clean sweep against South Africa on their soil. Captain Mohammad Rizwan praised the team's collective effort and divine blessings. Young opener Saim Ayub shone with two centuries, earning Player of the Series, while Rizwan emphasized the team's trust and unity as key to their success.
Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach faces scrutiny with mixed results across formats so far. While successful in T20Is (6/6 wins), the Test performance, especially the 1-3 defeat in Australia and batting issues, raises concerns. Support staff's effectiveness is also under scrutiny going forward. India's next Test assignment is the five-match series in England in June-July.
Jason Gillespie resigned as Pakistan's red-ball coach after being excluded from the national team's selection for the South Africa series. He faced a difficult environment created by some PCB officials who sidelined him in key decisions. The board disregarded his recommendations, appointed a different coach, and failed to consult him on squad selections, ultimately leading to his departure.
Australia triumphed over India with a 184-run win in Melbourne, leading the series 2-1. Travis Head's unexpected breakthrough post-tea, dismissing Rishabh Pant, triggered India's collapse. Head's unique celebration, recalling a past performance in Sri Lanka, stole the spotlight, underscoring Australia's dominant performance and India's batting vulnerabilities under pressure.
Experience the high-intensity drama of India-Pakistan cricket matches with The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan, available from February 7 on Netflix. This documentary features legends like Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly, revealing the cultural themes and emotions behind one of the most storied rivalries.
India's cricket team celebrated their third Champions Trophy win by donning the iconic white jackets during the presentation in Dubai. The jackets, designed by Babita M, symbolize elite success and were introduced in 2009. India's victory over New Zealand was highlighted by Rohit Sharma's commanding 76 and KL Rahul's unbeaten 34, cementing their legacy as the best.
Shafali Verma's blistering 80 not out led Delhi Capitals to a dominant nine-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League. The victory made DC the first team to qualify for the playoffs, while RCB suffered their fourth consecutive home defeat.
MI Cape Town clinched a spot in the SA20 final with a decisive 39-run win over Paarl Royals in Qualifier 1. Kagiso Rabada praised his team's performance and readiness, while the Royals look forward to another chance in Qualifier 2. Dayyaan Galiem acknowledged their shortcomings and remains hopeful for the next match.
Vidarbha captain Karun Nair continued his red-hot form with an unbeaten 44-ball 88, leading his team to 380 for 3 against Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final. Nair has now amassed 752 runs in the tournament, including four consecutive tons. Openers Dhruv Shorey and Yash Rathod also scored centuries.
BCCI has implemented stricter regulations for IPL, including mandatory team bus travel, limitations on family presence in dressing rooms, and designated nets for practice. Fitness tests on match days are restricted, and players must wear specific caps and jerseys. These changes aim to streamline operations and ensure adherence to new protocols.