New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner acknowledges the challenge posed by India's spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in the ICC Champions Trophy final. Varun took five wickets against New Zealand earlier in the tournament. The fitness of New Zealand's pacer Matt Henry remains uncertain, and Santner hopes that their varied spin attack will help them succeed against India.
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Jasprit Bumrah's impressive 21 wickets in three Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests have drawn significant praise, with former Australian coach Justin Langer comparing him to legendary Wasim Akram. Bumrah's two five-wicket hauls have troubled Australian openers, making him a key player in the series tied at 1-1.
The SA20 final on February 8 at the Wanderers will be played before a sold-out crowd for the third consecutive year. Tickets for the season finale have sold out faster than the previous year. Fans are encouraged to purchase playoff tickets to see the top teams compete for final spots.
Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Virat Kohli's charisma remains undiminished. Kohli was greeted by adoring fans at Bhubaneswar airport after the second ODI against England in Cuttack. A viral video shows Kohli hugging a female fan amid tight security, highlighting his immense popularity.
Virat Kohli achieved a landmark by surpassing Rahul Dravid's record for the most catches by an Indian fielder in international cricket, following his catch off Josh Inglis' shot. Kohli's fielding feat came during India's semi-final match against Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma silenced critics with a Player of the Match performance, guiding India to a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. His aggressive approach, stemming from team strategy discussions, paid off as he scored 76 runs. This victory marks India's third Champions Trophy title, showcasing their consistent bowling and strong team depth.
Explosive New Zealand batsman Bevon Jacobs earns his first international call-up for the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka, marking Mitchell Santner's captaincy debut. Jacobs' impressive domestic performance and recent IPL contract secured his spot. The Blackcaps will play three T20s starting Saturday, followed by three ODIs, their final series before the Champions Trophy.
Sunil Narine's exceptional all-round performance propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Narine's mesmerizing spell of 3 for 13 restricted CSK to a paltry 103/9, their lowest-ever IPL total at home. He then blazed 44 off 18 balls, ensuring a comfortable chase, overshadowing MS Dhoni's return as captain.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra emphasizes the necessity of adapting to Dubai's unique pitch conditions for the Champions Trophy final against India. Despite New Zealand's limited experience on this pitch, Ravindra remains optimistic about their preparation and aims to deliver a stronger performance than in their previous encounter with India.
Brian Bennett's career-best 169 and Blessing Muzarabani's 4 for 51 led Zimbabwe to a 49-run victory over Ireland in the first ODI in Harare. Captain Craig Ervine supported with 66. Despite a fightback from George Dockrell and Andy McBrine, Ireland were all out for 250 in 46 overs. Further matches are scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday.
Pakistani batter Babar Azam and South African bowler Wiaan Mulder had a tense verbal exchange during the third day of the second Test in Cape Town, following an aggressive throw from Mulder. Tensions were high, but Babar diffused the situation, highlighting the heat of the moment. Babar consistently delivered half-centuries throughout the series.