Virat Kohli's struggles during the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia can be attributed to a 'mental block', according to Ricky Ponting. Kohli's form dipped after a century in the first Test of the series at Perth, managing just 90 runs in his other eight innings on the tour. Ponting noted that Kohli's efforts have made batting harder for him.
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India's Smriti Mandhana has been nominated for the ICC Women's ODI Cricket of the Year award after an impressive 2024, marked by several centuries. She joins contenders Laura Wolvaardt, Annabel Sutherland, and Chamari Athapaththu. Each player demonstrated outstanding performances throughout the year, contributing significantly to their respective teams' successes.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his happiness after India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating New Zealand in the final. Highlights include excellent performances by Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match, while Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry also earned notable accolades.
Nitish Kumar Reddy's maiden century during the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground earned him recognition and made his father proud. He reached the milestone with a gritty 103 not out, partnering with Washington Sundar in a 127-run stand. Reddy emphasized his determination that kept him going despite challenges, marking his debut series with impressive performances.
Paarl Royals secured a convincing eight-wicket victory over Pretoria Capitals in the 12th SA20 match at SuperSport Park. Chasing 213, Joe Root's unbeaten 92 and Rubin Hermann's 56 led the Royals to a strong win. This triumph places them at the top of the points table, preparing to face Joburg Super Kings next.
Star cricketers returning to domestic cricket has been stressed as important for those aiming to play for India, with Varun Chakravarthy affirming that playing for Tamil Nadu has significantly aided his development. His performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have contributed to his improvement and readiness for international matches.
Pakistan clinched a resounding ODI series victory against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, thanks to Saim Ayub's stellar century (101 off 94 balls). This marks Ayub's third century in five innings, earning him both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Despite Heinrich Klaasen's rapid 81, South Africa fell short of the rain-adjusted target of 308.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is confident in his team's fast-bowling attack, led by young speedster Nahid Rana, as they face India in their Champions Trophy opener on Thursday. Shanto believes the seamers, including the impressive 22-year-old Nahid, can challenge any team. Despite not being favorites, Shanto insists they can defeat any team with proper execution.
Kevin Pietersen criticised England for not holding practice sessions after losses in the T20I and ODI series against India. He highlighted that practicing is crucial for improvement, especially when facing defeats. Jos Buttler defended their approach, stressing that they trained adequately despite tour challenges. Pietersen also dismissed media excuses regarding injuries and lack of turnaround time.
Shane Watson reflects on his cherished memories of the ICC Champions Trophy, highlighting significant moments from his career, including his crucial role in Australia's 2006 and 2009 victories. Notably, Watson recalls his PSL experience in Pakistan as one of the most memorable weeks of his life. He hopes current players will cherish their experiences similarly.
Shubman Gill's century in the third ODI against England highlighted his talent, making him the fastest to 2,500 runs in ODI history. Gill's 112-run knock helped India set a strong foundation at 226/3. Virat Kohli's 52, alongside contributions from other top-order batsmen, set the stage for a potentially thrilling finish with India eyeing a series sweep.