England and Australia face off in the Champions Trophy opener, with both teams looking to recover from recent ODI setbacks. Key players are missing for Australia, while England aims to leverage their pace attack and proven batsmen for a strong start in the tournament.
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Anil Chaudhary, a former international umpire, had highlighted Mohammad Rizwan's excessive appeals, prompting Indian wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan to critique Rizwan during a chat. Kishan advised appealing only when sure to instill confidence in umpires. He also discussed improvements in umpiring over the past decade with Chaudhary, emphasising the importance of confident, unbiased decision-making among new umpires.
Fielding coach T Dilip praised India's exceptional fielding during the ODI series against England, highlighting efforts by players like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Harshit Rana. India's sharp fielding, including crucial run-outs and catches, contributed significantly to their victories. Iyer's performance earned him the 'Impact Fielder' of the series, crucially aiding in India's clean sweep of the series.
Sunil Gavaskar praiseed Jasprit Bumrah's leadership qualities, suggesting he could soon become India's full-time Test captain. Gavaskar appreciated Bumrah's ability to lead without putting undue pressure on teammates. Despite India's series loss to Australia, Bumrah's outstanding individual performance and effective leadership were highlighted.
Virat Kohli and five other Indian players were picked for the 'Team of the Tournament' after India won the Champions Trophy, beating New Zealand. Notable selections include Varun Chakravarthy, KL Rahul, and all-rounder Axar Patel. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran, and other standout performers also made the team for their impressive displays.
Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is set to play for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming 2025 IPL season. He was acquired for Rs 14 crore after being released by Lucknow Super Giants. Rahul is excited to join DC, appreciating their balanced squad and strong team potential. He is ready to contribute and adapt as per team requirements.
Steve Smith reached a historic milestone, smashing his 10th century against India in the Brisbane Test, equaling Joe Root's record. This impressive innings of 101 marked his first century in 25 innings, ending his longest century drought. Smith also became Australia's sixth-highest run-scorer, surpassing Mark Waugh.
Workload management is crucial for modern cricketers to stay fresh and injury-free. Jasprit Bumrah's heavy bowling schedule during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series raised concerns, especially after he suffered a back spasm. Despite bowling 151.2 overs, his teammates and Aussie bowlers bowled more, highlighting the need for careful workload management. Historical comparisons show varying workloads of Indian bowlers in past series.
Sunil Gavaskar feels that India might have a tough time defending even a score of 200 against Australia if Jasprit Bumrah is not fit to bowl in the final innings of the Sydney Test. Bumrah's availability is crucial, and his condition will be assessed on Sunday after he left the field due to back spasm.
Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Matthew Kuhnemann's career-best 9-149 and support from Nathan Lyon were instrumental in Australia's win. Sri Lanka's first innings ended at 165, and they collapsed in the second session despite Dinesh Chandimal's efforts.
Tom Banton's 55-ball 105 and Andre Fletcher's 96 off 50 balls propelled MI Emirates to a commanding total of 228 for 2 in the ILT20 match in Abu Dhabi. Their bowlers then dismantled the Desert Vipers, securing a comprehensive victory with ease.