Former India coach Ravi Shastri anticipates Rohit Sharma will retire from Test cricket after being dropped from the fifth Testbum against Australia. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah claimed at the toss that Rohit opted to sit out for the benefit of the team. Rohit has struggled this series and hasn't performed well since missing the first Test.
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Australia faces setbacks as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to injuries, with Steve Smith or Travis Head likely to replace Cummins as captain. Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are also out, leaving the team with significant selection challenges ahead of the tournament starting February 19 in Pakistan.
Newly appointed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer remains focused on delivering strong performances despite his hefty Rs 23.75 crore auction price. Both Iyer and captain Ajinkya Rahane are determined to lead KKR to success in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, emphasising the importance of team effort and consistency.
Harbhajan Singh shared how his feud with Andrew Symonds transformed into a deep friendship after the infamous "Monkeygate" scandal. Symonds' visit to Harbhajan's home with a bottle of rum initiated their reconciliation. They later won the IPL championship together. Harbhajan expressed grief over Symonds' untimely death, highlighting their strong bond.
The SA20 Season 3 match between Pretoria Capitals and Durban's Super Giants in Centurion was abandoned due to persistent rain. Despite attempts to start play and inspections by officials, conditions remained unplayable. Both teams received two points each, and ticket holders are eligible for refunds as per the league's policy.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been discharged from Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after undergoing stent placement surgery following a severe heart attack during a domestic cricket match. He will be sidelined from cricket for at least three months and must adhere to strict medical advice, including quitting smoking, to aid his recovery.
Nineteen-year-old Sam Konstas made a sensational Test debut, hitting two sixes off India's Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG, becoming the second player to do so in a single innings. His fearless performance and rapid half-century in 52 balls marked him as a promising future star in Australian cricket. He was eventually dismissed on 60 by Ravindra Jadeja.
Abhishek Sharma scored a record-breaking 54-ball 135 against England, showcasing his improved consistency and shot selection. Mentored by Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara, Sharma's performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and IPL highlighted his remarkable strike rates and intent, further solidifying his role in India's T20 squad.
Several Indian cricketers, including KL Rahul, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, and Amit Mishra, along with badminton star Saina Nehwal, took to social media to extend their warm wishes for Holi. They expressed their hopes for happiness, joy, and colorful celebrations, reminding fans to enjoy responsibly. "May the splashes of colour brighten your life with laughter, love, joy and unforgettable memories. #HappyHoli," former India cricketer Virender Sehwag wrote.
India and Australia's third Test ended in a draw due to rain after an emotional moment between Virat Kohli and R Ashwin. Chasing 275, India were 8/0 before the match was called off. Australia declared their second innings at 89/7 after a rapid-fire batting display. The series is tied 1-1, with the fourth Test scheduled for December 26th in Melbourne.
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.