Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy raised questions about the team management's handling of his departure. Anil Kumble criticised the lack of a “grand farewell†plan for Ashwin. Ashwin, who retired with 537 Test wickets, had aimed to reach the 600-wicket mark, following Kumble's advice.
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West Indies have revealed their squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan, featuring Amir Jangoo and the returning Gudakesh Motie. Jangoo, after impressing in ODIs, is set for his Test debut. With Shamar Joseph sidelined by injury and Alzarri Joseph unavailable, West Indies aim to build on past successes as they face Pakistan in January.
India's premier off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket and received a heartfelt send-off from the Indian team in Brisbane. Due to time constraints, a full farewell gathering wasn't possible. An emotional Ashwin delivered a touching speech in the dressing room before departing, receiving a special jersey from Australian captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
India's U19 women's cricket team secured a resounding nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the U19 Women's T20 Asia Cup. Sonam Yadav's exceptional bowling figures of 4/6 restricted Pakistan to a mere 67/7. G Kamilini's unbeaten 44 then steered India to a comfortable win in just 7.5 overs, setting the stage for their final group match against Nepal.
Ryan Rickelton led MI Cape Town to victory against Joburg Super Kings with a stunning 89 off 39 balls. Joe Root's unbeaten 92 powered the Royals to an eight-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals. Faf du Plessis crossed 11,000 T20 runs, and remarkable catches by fans were celebrated in both matches.
Mohammed Siraj caused a scare for India when he pulled up with a hamstring niggle during the second day of the Brisbane Test against Australia. He left the field but returned before lunch, although he didn't bowl. Earlier, Siraj and Marnus Labuschagne engaged in some playful banter, continuing their rivalry from the Adelaide Test.
Ravindra Jadeja will play for Saurashtra in their next Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at Rajkot, starting Jan 23. In addition to Jadeja, other top Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, will also participate in various Ranji matches. The BCCI emphasizes domestic match participation for player eligibility and central contracts.
David Warner endorses Travis Head as the potential next Test captain for Australia if Steve Smith is unable to play the Sri Lanka tour due to an elbow injury. Smith's injury, sustained during the Big Bash League, casts doubt on his participation, potentially leading to Head's captaincy debut.
SA20, South Africa's premier T20 competition, remains a key platform for emerging cricket talents. This season saw standout performances from Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, and others, showcasing their impressive skills and earning recognition. The league continues to be a valuable launchpad for young players aiming for international success.
Ryan Rickelton (176 not out) and Temba Bavuma (106) led South Africa to 316 for four on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan. Their 235-run partnership countered early setbacks and dominated a lacklustre Pakistan bowling attack. Rickelton scored his second Test century, and Bavuma recorded his fourth before getting out just before the close.
India women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been retained in the highest tier of BCCI central contracts. New players Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, and Uma Chetry have received their first central contracts in Grade C. Pacer Renuka Thakur, all-rounder Jemimah Rodrigues, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, and opener Shafali Verma have secured their spots in Grade B.