Dwayne Bravo is set to mentor Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming IPL season, replacing Gautam Gambhir. With 631 wickets and 17 T20 titles, Bravo aims to instill his champion mentality and mold the next generation. KKR retains their core team, with Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain and Ajinkya Rahane as the new captain.
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India's Mohammed Shami cites the advantage of playing all Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, leading to their win against Australia. Shami advocates for the reintroduction of saliva for ball polishing to aid in obtaining reverse swing. India's consistency in Dubai strengthens their chances in the final.
Australia and Afghanistan face off in a crucial match in Lahore, with the semifinal spot on the line. Australia, aware of Afghanistan's strength and spin prowess, are focused on a solid performance. Both teams need a win to advance, with a washout favoring Australia.
Marcus Stoinis, Australian all-rounder, retires from ODIs after 74 matches, to focus on T20Is. Cricket Australia will replace him for the ICC Champions Trophy. Stoinis, a pivotal ODI player, helped in the 2023 ODI World Cup win. Coach McDonald praised his contributions and leadership. His exit coincides with injury concerns for Cummins and Hazlewood.
The BCCI is likely to seek an extension to announce India's provisional squad for the Champions Trophy by January 19, past the ICC deadline of January 12. The decision follows the selection of the squad for the T20I series against England, with ODIs and the Champions Trophy squad announcement postponed.
Simran Shaikh became the highest-paid player at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction, fetching Rs 1.90 crore from Gujarat Giants. Deandra Dottin, G Kamalini, and Prema Rawat also secured significant deals. However, Sneh Rana went unsold. Teams bolstered their squads with international and domestic talent for the upcoming season.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam led Pakistan's fightback with a record 205-run opening stand against South Africa after following on in the second Test. Masood remained unbeaten on 102, while Babar scored 81. Pakistan ended day three at 213 for one, still needing 208 runs to make South Africa bat again.
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana achieved a sensational hat-trick in the rain-shortened second ODI against New Zealand, limiting them to 255/9 at Seddon Park. He took 4/44, including crucial end-innings wickets, to swing the momentum back to Sri Lanka. New Zealand had initially dominated with Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman's half-centuries, setting a brisk pace.
Shubman Gill's century in the ODI against Bangladesh was marked by immense satisfaction and maturity. Despite a slow start, Gill adapted his game to counter Bangladesh's spin pressure, maintaining control and clarity. His innings ensured India’s win, showcasing brilliant strokes and a contained performance, earning him the Player of the Match award.
New Zealand's Mitchell Santner acknowledges India's familiarity with Dubai's pitch for the upcoming Champions Trophy final and prepares for a tough contest. Despite a busy schedule and previous defeat to India, Santner is optimistic about their experience. The team adapts well to the busy schedule and is ready for the challenge ahead.
Kolkata Knight Riders gear up to defend their IPL title against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with new captain Ajinkya Rahane at the helm. Shah Rukh Khan, the team's co-owner, delivered an uplifting message to the squad, expressing confidence in Rahane and coach Chandrakant Pandit. KKR aim for their fourth title amidst a star-studded opening at the Eden Gardens.