Australia clinched a thrilling six-wicket victory in the fifth Test against India at Sydney, securing the series 3-1 and a spot in the World Test Championship final. Scott Boland's superb 6-45 performance played a crucial role, and captain Pat Cummins praised the team's collective effort. The match remained competitive as Australia lost three wickets before lunch, including Steve Smith who fell tantalisingly close to the 10,000-run milestone, just one run short of becoming the fourth Australian to achieve this feat.
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India captain Rohit Sharma praised Mohammed Shami as a stalwart of white-ball cricket during a press conference announcing India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and the ODI series against England. Shami returns to the ODI setup after more than a year, having recovered from ankle surgery. He was also named in the T20I series squad against England.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir had a private discussion with Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG before meeting chief selector Ajit Agarkar, quelling rumors of dressing room unrest. Gambhir emphasized honesty in communication, strategies to win, and confirmed Akash Deep's injury, with replacement decisions pending pitch assessments. This interaction further fueled speculation about unrest in the dressing room, but Gambhir promptly dismissed such reports as unfounded.
Australia captain Pat Cummins sets a new record in Test cricket by dismissing India's Rohit Sharma six times. Cummins surpasses Richie Benaud's previous record. Cummins' tactical excellence has repeatedly outmaneuvered Rohit, including dismissing him four times in the current series. Other notable captains include Imran Khan and Kapil Dev. The five-match Test series is currently locked at 1-1.
India face a crucial Sydney Test against Australia, with its World Test Championship final hopes at stake. India's win percentage is behind top contenders Australia and South Africa. Victory is essential to stay in the hunt, alongside needing favourable results from Australia's series against Sri Lanka. Failure to win in Sydney would end India's WTC campaign.
India's bowling attack faces uncertainty as Mohammed Shami's knee swelling delays his return to the Test series against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is also a concern after an injury scare in Adelaide. While Rohit Sharma backs Harshit Rana despite a wicketless second Test, the team is cautiously monitoring Shami and exploring options like Mukesh Kumar as potential replacements.
The BCCI has included all-rounder Tanush Kotian in the Indian cricket squad for the fourth and fifth Tests against Australia. Kotian, an off-spinner from Mumbai, earned his spot with impressive domestic performances, including a standout 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. He replaces retired R Ashwin, bolstering India's spin-bowling and batting lineup for the crucial matches ahead.
Pakistan secured a commanding 2-0 series lead against South Africa with an 81-run victory in the second ODI. Babar Azam (73) and Mohammad Rizwan (80) laid the foundation with a crucial 115-run partnership. Late fireworks from Kamran Ghulam (63 off 32) propelled Pakistan to 329.
Steve Smith has been appointed captain for Australia's Sri Lanka tour. He aims to mentor young players with his sub-continental expertise. Pat Cummins is on paternity leave. The series includes two Tests starting on January 29 in Galle. The Australian squad features promising talents like Nathan McSweeney, Cooper Connolly, and Sam Konstas.
Imran Tahir, at 45, displays his brilliance, aiding Joburg Super Kings in a 28-run victory over Durban's Super Giants. His impressive catch symbolizes JSK's determination. Tahir credits the spin trio for their performance and highlights the team's growing momentum and unity as they prepare for upcoming matches.
During the second day of the fifth Test, Indian captain Rohit Sharma explained his absence due to poor form and praised stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit lauded Bumrah's growth and leadership skills. India's bowlers dominated, reducing Australia to 101/5, highlighting the challenging pitch and the importance of patience and pressure in Test cricket.