Key matchups in the high-stakes game include Rachin Ravindra’s duel with India’s spin quartet, Varun Chakravarthy’s challenge from Kane Williamson, and Mitchell Santner facing Shreyas Iyer. Mohammed Shami’s new-ball spell could be significant against New Zealand openers, especially given his success against left-handers.
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R Ashwin identified India and New Zealand as top contenders for the Champions Trophy, citing India's home advantage in Dubai and New Zealand's strong lineup. He warned not to underestimate Australia despite their player injuries, and discussed the prospects of South Africa and the importance of tri-series tournaments for reviving ODI cricket.
Harbhajan Singh believes Axar Patel is ready to replace Ravindra Jadeja in India's all-rounder role for the Champions Trophy. He also suggests Sanju Samson might be preferred over Rishabh Pant as India's wicketkeeper, especially given Pant's long Australian tour. Both decisions could impact India's squad for the upcoming tournament in Dubai.
Torrent Group is set to acquire around two-thirds stake of Gujarat Titans from CVC Capital Partners, valuing the deal at Rs 7,500 crore. The agreement, pending BCCI approval, will be finalized before the IPL season starts in March. The deal marks the first majority stake sale of an IPL team since 2008.
India clinched their second consecutive women's U-19 T20 World Cup title with a dominant nine-wicket win over South Africa in the final in Kuala Lumpur. Gongadi Trisha starred with an unbeaten 44 after bowlers restricted South Africa to 82 runs in their 20 overs.
South Africa's cricket captain, Temba Bavuma, is determined to lead his team to their first World Test Championship Final. Currently topping the standings, they face a crucial two-Test series against Pakistan. Winning just one game secures their spot at Lord's in June. Bavuma emphasized the significance of the championship, calling it a "World Cup" for red-ball cricketers.
Cheteshwar Pujara analyses Virat Kohli's struggles against the new ball in the ongoing Gabba Test, suggesting his technique isn't suited for it. Kohli's success with the old ball in Perth contrasts with his recent low scores. Pujara highlights the need for a mental shift, urging Kohli to resist playing deliveries outside off-stump, despite practicing leaving them in the nets.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape face MI Cape Town in the SA20 Season 3 opener at St George’s Park, with a sold-out crowd expected. Key players include Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs for the Sunrisers, while MI Cape Town's squad features Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, and Reeza Hendricks. The match promises high energy and entertainment.
Star India batter Virat Kohli, after his match-winning 84-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal, expressed his enduring love for cricket and batting. Praising teammates Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer for their crucial contributions, Virat emphasized the importance of staying motivated for big matches and meeting team expectations for successful results.
Dinesh Karthik, replacing Jos Buttler, became the first Indian in SA20, South Africa's top T20 league. After retiring from IPL, Karthik debuted for Paarl Royals, supporting BCCI's rule against active Indian cricketers in foreign leagues. Karthik, with 130 runs in 11 matches, cherished playing with Joe Root and plans to return to SA20.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting praised Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami for his remarkable five-wicket haul in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh. Ponting highlighted Shami's resilience and determination following his recovery from a long injury layoff. Shami's achievement of 200 ODI wickets underscores his consistency and dedication, earning appreciation for his performance amidst adversity.