New Zealand's off-spinner Michael Bracewell on Friday dismissed concerns about India's perceived advantage of playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. Rohit Sharma-led India has been and will continue to play their matches in Dubai, including the final if they progress that far in the ongoing Champiopns Trophy. New Zealand are scheduled to play their first match in Dubai against India on Sunday, following their previous two games in Pakistan.
Related news
Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is eagerly anticipating the clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, especially with Virat Kohli posing a noteworthy challenge. Gaikwad appreciates Kohli's consistent high-level performance which makes every match against RCB highly anticipated. The match's significance is amplified by CSK's strong spin attack, looking to exploit RCB’s vulnerabilities at Chepauk.
Ricky Ponting praises Travis Head's exceptional performance, particularly his recent 140 against India, highlighting his potential to become a batting great. Ponting compares Head's aggressive style to Adam Gilchrist, emphasizing his fearless approach and ability to deliver under pressure in crucial matches like the World Test Championship and World Cup finals.
Shreyas Iyer expressed his joy on India's 2025 Champions Trophy win, noting his contribution in crucial moments. With 243 runs, Iyer was the top scorer for India, playing a key role in their victory against New Zealand. Iyer highlighted the collective effort in securing this triumph, marking his first ICC trophy win and fifth title in a year.
The Sports Ministry debunked claims of converting cricket players into baseball players to win medals at international events. Baseball, unrecognised by the ministry, was never discussed at Mission Olympic Cell meetings. A BCCI official noted the impracticality of such a switch, given cricket's lucrative paths like IPL and T20 leagues, while baseball lacks governmental support.
Tilak Varma, in only the early stages of his T20I career, has established himself as a versatile and reliable player. His recent performance against England, including an unbeaten 72, showcased his ability to expertly blend caution with aggression on a challenging pitch, as he led India to a successful 166-run chase.
Delhi Capitals coach Jonathan Batty emphasised that every player in the team is a game-changer, highlighting Shafali Varma's recent domestic success. Skipper Meg Lanning is optimistic about Shafali's performance in the upcoming Women's Premier League Season 3. Lanning also looks forward to adapting to the new venues despite missing the home crowd in Delhi.
Ravichandran Ashwin recounted an incident during the Border Gavaskar Trophy involving Virat Kohli and fast bowler Akash Deep. Kohli's advice to bowl straight led to Akash losing his rhythm, giving Steve Smith the opportunity to score a century. Ashwin emphasized the importance of understanding a bowler’s mindset. Later, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket.
Harshit Rana's ODI debut in Nagpur included a powerful 3-53 performance, helping India beat England under 250. Despite a challenging start, he recovered by taking key wickets. Rana justified his controversial inclusion as a concussion substitute, saying he is focused on delivering for his country. His performance ensured India's emphatic win in the first ODI.
The Australia vs South Africa game in the Champions Trophy was abandoned due to rain, leading both teams to share points. Each team's qualification depends on their final group stage matches, with South Africa and Australia having better chances if they secure wins. England and Afghanistan must win their remaining games to advance.
Rohit Sharma's batting struggles continued in the Brisbane Test, dismissed for just 10 runs. His move to the middle order, accommodating KL Rahul's return as opener, has added to his difficulties, according to teammate Cheteshwar Pujara. Rohit's recent scores reflect his struggles, aggregating low totals in previous series against New Zealand and Bangladesh.