#India Test captain list

[rabyadang]

VIRAT KHOLI:THE UNTOLD STORY

He was on born 5 November 1988) is an Indian international cricketer and the former captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman and an occasional medium-fast bowler. He currently represents Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Delhi in domestic cricket. Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket and the best of the 21st century. He holds the record as the highest run-scorer in T20I and IPL, ranks third in ODI, and stands as the fourth-highest in international cricket. He also holds the record for scoring the most centuries in ODI cricket and stands second in the list of most international centuries scored. Kohli was a member of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and captained India to win the ICC Test mace three consecutive times in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

#ViratKholi #Biopic #rabyadang #Lavanyaoberai #DigitalStorytelling

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the SCG Nets (PC: Debasis Sen) Cricket is a team game and Australia played like one, under the stewardship of a captain, who led from the front, galvanised his unit and marshalled his resources towards the unified goal of winning back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade India, on the other hand, were forced to play under three captains and chopped and changed their team reactively, without addressing the primary challenges at hand. Barring the God-sent Bumrah and the spirited Yashasvi Jaiswal, no other Indian player consistently showed up to the party Down Under. Rohit Sharma did the brave and selfless thing by standing down for the ultimate test and one must laud his candour but in hindsight, did we hurt our chances by disturbing our winning combination at Perth? Prior to this series, India had won at Perth only once and had won a series opener in Australia only once in 2018, but had never won a series opener at Perth, that too by a mammoth margin of 295 runs. The D/N Test in Adelaide was always going to be tricky for the visitors given that we hardly play with the pink ball. India had two batting collapses there, instead of one at Perth, thanks to the merciless attack from Starc, Cummins and Boland. On the batting front, it was a Travis Head show, who capitalised on the two dropped chances. After the two matches, one could clearly see the gulf in the approach to captaincy as well – Bumrah was far more aggressive, agile and creative in his approach, both in terms of team selection, field setting and bowling changes. By this juncture, it was clearly evident that our top and middle-order had become synonymous to batting collapses, with our team folding up below 200 on 24 occasions in the last 5 years, 13 off which have come in the last two years. That is nearly about 1 in 3 times they come out to bat. Virat Kohli at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) At the heart of the issue was Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill’s inability to lay a foundation for a solid total, especially when they had looked past Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for reasons pertaining to performance, age and succession planning. From 55 at its peak, Kohli’s career average has slipped down below 47. In the last 5 years, he is scoring just about 30 runs per innings every year, way below par in comparison to his maximum averages of nearly 76 in two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017. Barring the solitary, hard-fought ton at Perth, his batting approach has become synonymous to being a ‘chase master’, a phrase that was once attributed to him in a positive connotation for the manner in which he dominated match-winning chases, especially in the shorter format of the game. Not only does he share the dubious distinction of 10 single-digital dismissals for a top 7 batter in a single Test season, along with Rohit, he now also tops the list of most caught dismissals to outside-off-stump deliveries versus pacers in a Test series; eight of them  in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He managed to score just 69 runs in 9 innings at an average of 8.6 against those deliveries. His catching is also slipping for over the last couple of years, wherein he drops more than 1 in 3 chances, the highest amongst slip fielders globally. He may still be one of the fittest Indian cricketers to be around, but fortunately or unfortunately, six packs matter little in cricket. Hand-eye coordination counts for more and either age is catching up, as it does with everyone, or is it a function of match practice? To me, it is unpardonable that the two legends in Kohli and Rohit haven’t played a Ranji Trophy match since 2012 and 2015 respectively. Not only does it not help their Test cricket but also sends out wrong signals and sets wrong precedent. If not, give up their spots to the next generation of players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudarshan,  Dhruv Jurel etc, who spent most of the series warming benches and carrying drinks.

The only way Rohit and Kohli can take forward their Test careers, is by re-igniting their love for the game in the domestic circuit. It may be a tad bit late given their respective age, but that’s the only viable option, else it will hurt them, the team and us fans to see two of our heroes fade out as mere shadows of their great selves. What was most disappointing though, was to see Gill’s lacklustre performance and the callous ways of his dismissals. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Virat Kohli with Jasprit Bumrah after the SCG Test (PC: Debasis Sen) For a gifted batter like him, who is touted to be the future of Indian batting, he has averaged just 32 over the last 5 years. Barring the heroic 91 at the Gabba in 2021, he averages a modest 23.8 overseas, with just one century outside Indian soil, in Bangladesh. Beyond the lack of runs, the way he gave up his wickets at Sydney on both occasions, is the larger cause of worry. Shouldn’t there be a massive price to the wicket of a number 3 Test batter and more accountability? We saw flashes of brilliance from KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, R Jadeja, Washington Sundar and of course the young Nitish Reddy, but none of them could consistently win or save matches for us. Remember, cricket is a team game, where individuals have to rise and shine to help the collective succeed. In fact, questions will be asked about the roles, positions and approaches of the above players. Isn’t Pant better off being completely unshackled, even at the cost of looking silly and stupid, because perhaps his approach to being responsible is different? I believe every 3-4 matches, he will produce a match/series-turning performance that no one in this team has the ability to do. What is the future of Jadeja? Is he still capable of giving us wickets or do we need to invest in the likes of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar or Tanush Kotian for future tours? Who in this current team will have the role of blunting the new ball ala Dravid and Pujara by facing 100 odd deliveries, so that others can capitalise? Will Rahul be up for that role given his control to defend and leave? If Washington is hardly going to be bowled, why not pick another bowler or open the slot for a better batter? Is Nitish the genuine wicket-taking bowling all-rounder that the team needs or will be competing for a top 5 batting position given his century at the MCG? Virat Kohli nudges a ball towards the leg side at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Sometimes a good performance or two ends up acting as a red herring, thus misleading us from ascertaining the potential of the individual and his/her fit in the team’s cause. Australia, on the other hand, does this proactively and very well. They ushered in two debutants mid-series to fix what wasn’t working for them, the opening slot and the all-rounder in the middle. Whilst Sam Konstas did give a heart-stopping debut performance in Melbourne, Beau Webster’s show with both bat and ball in Sydney, looked far more organised, reassuring and impactful. Their core batters also dug deep and found a way to show up when it mattered. Most of their top 7 averaged between 25-33 in the previous 10 innings prior to this series, but each of them played at least two impactful innings that moved the needle. Head once again was the prime thorn in India’s path with two tons and fifty that he scored nearly at run-a-ball; Smith came back to form with two centuries and nearly crossing the hallowed 10,000-run mark; Marnus rode his luck and patience to cross fifty on three occasions and Carey and Khawaja made an important fifty each. But Test matches are won by teams who can take 20 wickets in quick time and this is where India lacked by a mile in comparison. Whilst we are blessed to have the best fast bowler in the world, who has already entered every possible best bowler chart, broken numerous bowling records and nearly broke his own back after delivering 908 balls to pick up 32 wickets at just 13 a piece, every 4 and a

half overs, the heart-breaking fact is that he didn’t have any meaningful support from the other end. Virat Kohli having a chat with Siraj and Bumrah at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Mohammed Siraj put on a spirited fight in two sessions across the series, but barring that sprayed the ball in every direction and leaked runs; so did Harshit Rana, Nitish and Prasidh Krishna. Akash induced plenty of false-shots but failed to convert them. Nitish had to wait for batters to err, whilst Jadeja and Washington hardly got any purchase and R Ashwin just wasn’t given another chance despite a decent outing at Adelaide. If people felt that Bumrah was over-bowled, they will be stunned to realise that Pat Cummins steamed into bowl an extra 94 deliveries in total and scalped 25 priceless wickets, typically to break the middle-order and stop the tail from wagging too long. Australia is blessed to have Boland as the world’s best reserve bowler, who selflessly delivers every time Josh Hazelwood is injured, very well knowing that he will be back in the dugout despite his performances. Imagine, taking 21 wickets from 6 innings at a Bumrah-like average and strike rate? He would be the strike bowler in any other side. Starc got 8 of his 18 wickets at Adelaide alone, his favourite hunting ground and the miserly Hazelwood features in the top 8 bowlers across both sides despite bowling in just 3 innings. And Lyon, the highest wicket-taker in the history of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, didn’t need to be in the thick of things, to beat India. That’s how lethal and impactful this Australian unit was. Remember, cricket is a team sport. But unfortunately India hasn’t prioritised the team in this format and neither has it fixed the cracks in its batting, nor has it managed the transition or workloads of its bowlers. Rohit Sharma with Mohammed Siraj at the Drinks Break at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Team India end this ICC World Test Championship cycle on a disastrous note after losing 7 out of the last 8 matches, including the first-ever whitewash in a three-match series at home, as well as a first home-series and a first Border-Gavaskar series defeat in more than a decade. Australia on the other hand, under the able leadership of Cummins, currently holds the bilateral series against every opponent they have played in men’s Tests. They will now head to Lord’s in mid-June to defend their WTC title against the Proteas. The world’s richest cricketing body, with one of their own heading the global cricketing office and with billions in its war chest, has its work out as far as planning the future of India’s Test cricket is concerned. Can we not have a dedicated squad for Tests that is incentivised just to play the long format? Can part of the massive broadcasting revenue streams not be allocated to provide facilities, resources and cash incentives to this unit? Can schedules be managed in such a way that players from this squad have enough time to invest in domestic cricket as well as to be well rested for the major tournaments? Can we prepare home pitches that are optimised for our strengths? Can we move away from hero worshiping and prioritising what’s good for the team by focusing on performance-linked selection criteria? Can we please remember that cricket is a team game. The players have to come together to accept, align and act on laying the right foundation for the future of Indian Test cricket? Also Read: The SCG Pink Test: Where Cricket Meets Compassion and Courage The post Indian Test cricket cloaked in a bubble of hero worship and individual brilliance appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the SCG Nets (PC: Debasis Sen) Cricket is a team game and Australia played like one, under the stewardship of a captain, who led from the front, galvanised his unit and marshalled his resources towards the unified goal of winning back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade India, on the other hand, were forced to play under three captains and chopped and changed their team reactively, without addressing the primary challenges at hand. Barring the God-sent Bumrah and the spirited Yashasvi Jaiswal, no other Indian player consistently showed up to the party Down Under. Rohit Sharma did the brave and selfless thing by standing down for the ultimate test and one must laud his candour but in hindsight, did we hurt our chances by disturbing our winning combination at Perth? Prior to this series, India had won at Perth only once and had won a series opener in Australia only once in 2018, but had never won a series opener at Perth, that too by a mammoth margin of 295 runs. The D/N Test in Adelaide was always going to be tricky for the visitors given that we hardly play with the pink ball. India had two batting collapses there, instead of one at Perth, thanks to the merciless attack from Starc, Cummins and Boland. On the batting front, it was a Travis Head show, who capitalised on the two dropped chances. After the two matches, one could clearly see the gulf in the approach to captaincy as well – Bumrah was far more aggressive, agile and creative in his approach, both in terms of team selection, field setting and bowling changes. By this juncture, it was clearly evident that our top and middle-order had become synonymous to batting collapses, with our team folding up below 200 on 24 occasions in the last 5 years, 13 off which have come in the last two years. That is nearly about 1 in 3 times they come out to bat. Virat Kohli at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) At the heart of the issue was Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill’s inability to lay a foundation for a solid total, especially when they had looked past Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for reasons pertaining to performance, age and succession planning. From 55 at its peak, Kohli’s career average has slipped down below 47. In the last 5 years, he is scoring just about 30 runs per innings every year, way below par in comparison to his maximum averages of nearly 76 in two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017. Barring the solitary, hard-fought ton at Perth, his batting approach has become synonymous to being a ‘chase master’, a phrase that was once attributed to him in a positive connotation for the manner in which he dominated match-winning chases, especially in the shorter format of the game. Not only does he share the dubious distinction of 10 single-digital dismissals for a top 7 batter in a single Test season, along with Rohit, he now also tops the list of most caught dismissals to outside-off-stump deliveries versus pacers in a Test series; eight of them  in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He managed to score just 69 runs in 9 innings at an average of 8.6 against those deliveries. His catching is also slipping for over the last couple of years, wherein he drops more than 1 in 3 chances, the highest amongst slip fielders globally. He may still be one of the fittest Indian cricketers to be around, but fortunately or unfortunately, six packs matter little in cricket. Hand-eye coordination counts for more and either age is catching up, as it does with everyone, or is it a function of match practice? To me, it is unpardonable that the two legends in Kohli and Rohit haven’t played a Ranji Trophy match since 2012 and 2015 respectively. Not only does it not help their Test cricket but also sends out wrong signals and sets wrong precedent. If not, give up their spots to the next generation of players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudarshan,  Dhruv Jurel etc, who spent most of the series warming benches and carrying drinks.

The only way Rohit and Kohli can take forward their Test careers, is by re-igniting their love for the game in the domestic circuit. It may be a tad bit late given their respective age, but that’s the only viable option, else it will hurt them, the team and us fans to see two of our heroes fade out as mere shadows of their great selves. What was most disappointing though, was to see Gill’s lacklustre performance and the callous ways of his dismissals. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Virat Kohli with Jasprit Bumrah after the SCG Test (PC: Debasis Sen) For a gifted batter like him, who is touted to be the future of Indian batting, he has averaged just 32 over the last 5 years. Barring the heroic 91 at the Gabba in 2021, he averages a modest 23.8 overseas, with just one century outside Indian soil, in Bangladesh. Beyond the lack of runs, the way he gave up his wickets at Sydney on both occasions, is the larger cause of worry. Shouldn’t there be a massive price to the wicket of a number 3 Test batter and more accountability? We saw flashes of brilliance from KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, R Jadeja, Washington Sundar and of course the young Nitish Reddy, but none of them could consistently win or save matches for us. Remember, cricket is a team game, where individuals have to rise and shine to help the collective succeed. In fact, questions will be asked about the roles, positions and approaches of the above players. Isn’t Pant better off being completely unshackled, even at the cost of looking silly and stupid, because perhaps his approach to being responsible is different? I believe every 3-4 matches, he will produce a match/series-turning performance that no one in this team has the ability to do. What is the future of Jadeja? Is he still capable of giving us wickets or do we need to invest in the likes of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar or Tanush Kotian for future tours? Who in this current team will have the role of blunting the new ball ala Dravid and Pujara by facing 100 odd deliveries, so that others can capitalise? Will Rahul be up for that role given his control to defend and leave? If Washington is hardly going to be bowled, why not pick another bowler or open the slot for a better batter? Is Nitish the genuine wicket-taking bowling all-rounder that the team needs or will be competing for a top 5 batting position given his century at the MCG? Virat Kohli nudges a ball towards the leg side at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Sometimes a good performance or two ends up acting as a red herring, thus misleading us from ascertaining the potential of the individual and his/her fit in the team’s cause. Australia, on the other hand, does this proactively and very well. They ushered in two debutants mid-series to fix what wasn’t working for them, the opening slot and the all-rounder in the middle. Whilst Sam Konstas did give a heart-stopping debut performance in Melbourne, Beau Webster’s show with both bat and ball in Sydney, looked far more organised, reassuring and impactful. Their core batters also dug deep and found a way to show up when it mattered. Most of their top 7 averaged between 25-33 in the previous 10 innings prior to this series, but each of them played at least two impactful innings that moved the needle. Head once again was the prime thorn in India’s path with two tons and fifty that he scored nearly at run-a-ball; Smith came back to form with two centuries and nearly crossing the hallowed 10,000-run mark; Marnus rode his luck and patience to cross fifty on three occasions and Carey and Khawaja made an important fifty each. But Test matches are won by teams who can take 20 wickets in quick time and this is where India lacked by a mile in comparison. Whilst we are blessed to have the best fast bowler in the world, who has already entered every possible best bowler chart, broken numerous bowling records and nearly broke his own back after delivering 908 balls to pick up 32 wickets at just 13 a piece, every 4 and a

half overs, the heart-breaking fact is that he didn’t have any meaningful support from the other end. Virat Kohli having a chat with Siraj and Bumrah at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Mohammed Siraj put on a spirited fight in two sessions across the series, but barring that sprayed the ball in every direction and leaked runs; so did Harshit Rana, Nitish and Prasidh Krishna. Akash induced plenty of false-shots but failed to convert them. Nitish had to wait for batters to err, whilst Jadeja and Washington hardly got any purchase and R Ashwin just wasn’t given another chance despite a decent outing at Adelaide. If people felt that Bumrah was over-bowled, they will be stunned to realise that Pat Cummins steamed into bowl an extra 94 deliveries in total and scalped 25 priceless wickets, typically to break the middle-order and stop the tail from wagging too long. Australia is blessed to have Boland as the world’s best reserve bowler, who selflessly delivers every time Josh Hazelwood is injured, very well knowing that he will be back in the dugout despite his performances. Imagine, taking 21 wickets from 6 innings at a Bumrah-like average and strike rate? He would be the strike bowler in any other side. Starc got 8 of his 18 wickets at Adelaide alone, his favourite hunting ground and the miserly Hazelwood features in the top 8 bowlers across both sides despite bowling in just 3 innings. And Lyon, the highest wicket-taker in the history of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, didn’t need to be in the thick of things, to beat India. That’s how lethal and impactful this Australian unit was. Remember, cricket is a team sport. But unfortunately India hasn’t prioritised the team in this format and neither has it fixed the cracks in its batting, nor has it managed the transition or workloads of its bowlers. Rohit Sharma with Mohammed Siraj at the Drinks Break at the SCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Team India end this ICC World Test Championship cycle on a disastrous note after losing 7 out of the last 8 matches, including the first-ever whitewash in a three-match series at home, as well as a first home-series and a first Border-Gavaskar series defeat in more than a decade. Australia on the other hand, under the able leadership of Cummins, currently holds the bilateral series against every opponent they have played in men’s Tests. They will now head to Lord’s in mid-June to defend their WTC title against the Proteas. The world’s richest cricketing body, with one of their own heading the global cricketing office and with billions in its war chest, has its work out as far as planning the future of India’s Test cricket is concerned. Can we not have a dedicated squad for Tests that is incentivised just to play the long format? Can part of the massive broadcasting revenue streams not be allocated to provide facilities, resources and cash incentives to this unit? Can schedules be managed in such a way that players from this squad have enough time to invest in domestic cricket as well as to be well rested for the major tournaments? Can we prepare home pitches that are optimised for our strengths? Can we move away from hero worshiping and prioritising what’s good for the team by focusing on performance-linked selection criteria? Can we please remember that cricket is a team game. The players have to come together to accept, align and act on laying the right foundation for the future of Indian Test cricket? Also Read: The SCG Pink Test: Where Cricket Meets Compassion and Courage The post Indian Test cricket cloaked in a bubble of hero worship and individual brilliance appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[cryptoto]

AUS vs IND: Ravi Shastri speaks out on Rohit Sharma’s potential Test retirement

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma There was no playing XI for the fifth and final Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrahh, enter as captain, said that Rohit chose to sit out the match for the good of the team. However, the omission of Rohit's name from the BCCI's list of sanctioned teams for the match suggests a problem. Rohit's absence paved the way Shubman Gill to…

[hamsdd]

AUS vs IND: Ravi Shastri speaks out on Rohit Sharma’s potential Test retirement

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma There was no playing XI for the fifth and final Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrahh, enter as captain, said that Rohit chose to sit out the match for the good of the team. However, the omission of Rohit's name from the BCCI's list of sanctioned teams for the match suggests a problem. Rohit's absence paved the way Shubman Gill to…

[cricketbazaar]

Check Out Which Player Got the Most Runs In World Cup

World Cups are tough to play as there is added pressure of the tournament and competing with different teams simultaneously makes it even more daunting. Therefore, scoring huge runs in these contests makes it a significant achievement for the player, highlighting his batting prowess and capability to perform under duress. Moreover, the sport now has two World Cups: the T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup. Unlike the T20 World Cup, which is held every two years, the ODI World Cup is held every four years. In the ODI cricket World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar has the record for most runs, and in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs. Let’s review all the players who have scored the most runs in World Cups.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar of India is referred to as the "God of Cricket," and for all the right reasons. He leads the World Cup in runs scored as well as in Test and One-Day International cricket. Tendulkar set a number of cricket records, including the record for the most international cricket hundreds, which remain unbreakable. His record for most runs in worldcup is also unbreakable. In 44 innings over the course of two decades, from 1992 to 2011, Sachin Tendulkar scored 2278 runs. He has scored as much as 152 runs.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been a rock of consistency for the Indian cricket team, carrying on his idol's legacy. With five hundreds and twelve half-centuries among his 1795 runs at an average of 59.83 in 37 World Cup games, Kohli has established himself as one of the game's contemporary greats. During the recent 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Kohli scored 765 runs and broke Sachin's record for the most runs in a single tournament. In the upcoming matches against Australia, he is touted to be India’s ace in the series.

Ricky Ponting

Another cricket legend who has made it to this list is Ricky Ponting. He is regarded as one of cricket's most successful captains, having guided Australia to two World Cup victories in a row in 2003 and 2007. Australia rose to prominence as the world's most formidable cricket team under his captaincy. But Ponting, the ICC World Cup's third-highest run-scorer, was a skilled batter himself. With a top score of 140 not out, Ponting amassed 1743 runs in 42 innings. Besides, he has played in five world cups and has guided the Australian side to the best of his abilities in all of them.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is an essential part of India's batting order because of his grace and ability to turn beginnings into significant cricket scores. Sharma's influence on the World Cup stage is undeniable, as he amassed 1575 runs at an incredible average of 60.57 in 28 World Cup matches, including seven hundreds.

Kumar Sangakkara

A vital member of Sri Lanka's World Cup team and a revered figure in the cricketing world, Kumar Sangakkara was a great craftsman at the crease. Sangakkara was a dangerous opponent because of his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when necessary. He amassed 1532 runs at an average of 56.74 in 37 games.

[rohitjangidddd]

India vs Australia 1st Test Match Prediction, Playing XI, and Fantasy Cricket Tips

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is poised to deliver high-octane cricketing action. With five Test matches lined up, the series will play a significant role in the World Test Championship standings. Fantasy sports enthusiasts are gearing up to build their teams on platforms like Vision11, the best fantasy cricket app, to make the most of this epic rivalry. Here's a detailed look at the updated squad lists and venues.

Venues and Schedule

1st Test: November 22-26, 2024, at Perth Stadium, Perth.

Start Time: 7:50 AM IST.

2nd Test: December 6-10, 2024, at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide.

Start Time: 9:30 AM IST.

3rd Test: December 14-18, 2024, at The Gabba, Brisbane.

Start Time: 5:50 AM IST.

4th Test: December 26-30, 2024, at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.

Start Time: 5:00 AM IST.

5th Test: January 3-7, 2025, at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

Start Time: 5:00 AM IST​

India’s Updated Squad

Captain: Rohit Sharma (will miss the 1st Test; Jasprit Bumrah to lead).

Key Batters:

Virat Kohli (pillar of India's batting lineup).

Yashasvi Jaiswal (in excellent form).

KL Rahul (providing experience).

Shubman Gill (injured, replaced by Devdutt Padikkal).

Wicketkeepers:

Rishabh Pant (dynamic middle-order batter).

Dhruv Jurel (an exciting prospect).

All-rounders:

Ravindra Jadeja (impact player with both bat and ball).

Washington Sundar (handy with bat and spin).

Bowlers:

Jasprit Bumrah (captain and strike bowler).

Mohammed Siraj (aggressive pacer).

Ravichandran Ashwin (spin wizard).

Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep (pace options)​

Australia’s Updated Squad

Captain: Pat Cummins.

Key Batters:

Usman Khawaja (consistent top-order batter).

Steve Smith (key player and former captain).

Marnus Labuschagne (steady at No. 3).

Travis Head (attacking left-hander).

All-rounder:

Mitchell Marsh.

Wicketkeeper:

Alex Carey (dependable with gloves and bat).

Bowlers:

Nathan Lyon (spin spearhead).

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland (pace trio)​

Fantasy Cricket Tips for the Series

Top Picks:

Virat Kohli: A seasoned campaigner who thrives under pressure.

Steve Smith: The backbone of Australia's batting lineup.

Ravindra Jadeja: A reliable all-rounder to fetch bonus points.

Differential Picks:

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Can provide a brisk start.

Scott Boland: Effective in home conditions.

Captain/Vice-Captain Suggestions:

Jasprit Bumrah or Nathan Lyon (game-changers with the ball).

Marnus Labuschagne or Ravichandran Ashwin (dependable picks).

Conclusion

The India vs Australia 2024-25 Test series promises thrilling cricket and exciting opportunities for fantasy cricket enthusiasts. With a strong lineup and iconic venues, it's time to gear up and create your winning team on Vision11, the best fantasy sports application. Download now and join the action!

Stay tuned for match predictions and insights throughout the series.

[oneturfnews]

Virat Kohli fumbles as India’s top ICC-ranking batsman following the lean patch in Tests

In an era where matches are played almost every day, the ICC ranking is the best way to evaluate the current stars of the game. The International Cricket Council, the top-most governing body in the sport, keeps track of all the ongoing series and updates the respective rankings consistently. The ICC ranking is categorized as per the formats with the top performers in Test, ODI, and T20I listed in the standings. Moreover, the best performers of the matches and series are named as the leading ICC-ranking batsmen. A recent reshuffle among the League of the ICC ranking batsmen, however, staged a significant disappointment for India.

Virat Kohli loses his place as the top ICC-ranking batsman for the first time in a decade

India endured a heavy blow in Tests recently when New Zealand beat the team 0-3 in their backyard. The series defeat against the Kiwis broke India’s long-standing record of remaining unbeaten in the red-ball series at home. Moreover, the white ferns handed India their first-ever 0-3 series whitewash on their home turf in the format. The unfortunate series witnessed senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling with their forms. In fact, the whole of the 2024 season has been a meek show for Kohli in the format. A dry spell lasting this long was bound to hamper Kohli’s standing as the top ICC-ranking batsman. The recent update in the ICC rankings witnessed the Indian great slipping out of the Top 20 in the ICC ranking of Test in nearly a decade.

The last time for Virat to be buried this deep in the rankings was the dip in the form he faced during 2014. The season saw Kohli struggling substantially on the England tour where he managed to score just 134 runs across five matches at an average of 13.4. However, the struggle was followed by a golden run for the Indian Test skipper in the format. From 2016 to 2018, Kohli showcased his best batting form across formats, even claiming the No. 1 spot to be crowned as the top ICC ranking batsman in the longest format. He also made history as the first Indian to top the ICC rankings in all three formats during the illustrious phase.

However, a string of poor performances in the recent Test series against New Zealand, where Kohli scored just 93 runs at an average of 15.50, has led to his fall in rankings. His overall Test batting average has also dipped to 47.83, the lowest since November 2016. After the forgettable series, Kohli dropped to the 22nd spot in the ICC rankings, a league that he last formed a part of in December 2014.

Along with Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, Rohit Sharma, also dropped from his position among the ICC ranking batsman, falling to 26th spot. Meanwhile, India’s standing as the No. 1 team in ODIs and T20Is remains intact, but they have slipped to second place in Tests, trailing Australia after a 3-0 series loss to New Zealand. Despite Kohli’s dip, several Indian players have been named as leading ICC-ranking batsmen. Yashasvi Jaiswal ranks fourth among Test batters, with Rishabh Pant at sixth and Shubman Gill at 16th.

[starbiopic]

Top 5 Batsmen with Most Sixes in International Cricket

In modern-day cricket, big-hitting has become a key part of the game, whether it’s in Test matches, ODIs, or T20s. Some players have built their reputations by clearing the boundary with ease across all formats. Here, we take a look at the top five batsmen who have smashed the most sixes in international cricket. 1. Rohit Sharma – 620 Sixes India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, leads the list when it…

[news-venue]

"No Way BCCI Would…": England Great On Joe Root Potentially Breaking Sachin Tendulkar's Record

Joe Root is going through the form of his life in Test cricket. The star batter scored two hundreds across two innings in the second Test of the ongoing three-match series vs Sri Lanka. The twin tons also saw Root going past Alastair Cook to become the England batter with most centuries in Test cricket. Root now has 34 to his credit, one more than that of retired player Cook. The right-handed batter, who is 33 years old, has over 12 thousand Test runs to his credit and he is quite close to the all-time record of India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin tops the run-scorers' chart with 15921 runs in Test cricket. When asked during an interaction whether Root will be able to surpass Sachin, former England captain Michael Vaughan replied with a "yes".

"I think it's three and a half thousand runs he trails by. He has three years. Unless his back snaps; he is the most enthusiastic lover of the game. I don't think he is going to get away. He is no longer the captain and knows his game better than ever before. I'll be amazed if he doesn't. He has played beautifully," said Vaughan during a discussion on said on Club Prairie Fire podcast.

Vaughan added that the BCCI would never want an England player to go on top of list, replacing an Indian.

"If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that would ever happen to Test cricket, because there's no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They'll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it'll take forever for someone to get past him," he added.

Legendary Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, who was also present in the discussion, said, "Don't know. How old is he? 33? He's a youngster. I have no idea when his appetite is going to slow down. He is clearly pretty hungry at the moment. But does he have the desire to go on? He is going to phase himself out of white ball completely. Sorry, I will answer that question about Joe after the Ashes next year."

[cricketsutra]

Top 10 Best Fielder in Cricket History

AB de Villiers: South Africa

On the pitch, AB de Villiers was incredibly adaptable. He was once a wicketkeeper, but he changed careers to become a fielder full-time, always impressing spectators with his on-field exploits. He had incredible speed, intensity, and quick reactions. AB is among the greatest on this list because of his ability to execute, complete catches with ease, and get speedy run-outs.

Paul Collingwood: England

The best quality Paul Collingwood had as captain of the England cricket team was his fielding, not his hitting or bowling. He is regarded as one of the greatest fielders in global history in addition to cricket history. Throughout his career, he was known for having excellent hands and quick reflexes, and his fielding was always above average.

Suresh Raina: India 

For his extraordinary energy and excitement on the pitch, Suresh Raina is considered by many as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history. When it came to diving to stop the ball or going all in on challenging receptions, Raina never hesitated to support his teammates. Left-hander Raina’s aggressive batting and occasional off-spin bowling were a great complement to his fielding. He was an outstanding player for both the Indian Cricket Team and the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League because of his potent shots that could clear the pitch and his fierce presence in the inner circle.

Jonty Rhodes: South Africa

Without a doubt, the best fielder in cricket history is Jonty Rhodes. He was renowned for his speed and could cover ground with amazing agility, shooting across the pitch like a rocket. It’s widely acknowledged by experts that Rhodes essentially created fielding. He was an excellent fielder because of his innate talent and unwavering drive. Rhodes was an important member of the South African team. He frequently fielded at the backward point position, where he looked effortless on amazing catches and runouts.

Ravindra Jadeja: India

Without a doubt, one of the greatest fielders in Indian Cricket Team history is Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja is renowned for his exceptional skill of hitting the stumps straight out of the deep and for seldom missing catches. His ability to shoot the leather ball at pinpoint accuracy and at bullet speed towards the stumps is improved by his powerful left arm. Jadeja has the safest hands when fielding in the deep and almost ever drops a catch. It is nearly impossible for the ball to go past him while he is in the cover point area. In addition to his exceptional fielding, Jadeja is currently among the top all-around players in the world of cricket. He can bowl excellent left-arm spin and bat well as a lower order batsman.

Keiron Pollard: West indies

Among the all-time great fielders in cricket history is Kieron Pollard. He has made several incredible catches that would appear unattainable for any other player. He may be heavy-set, but he has amazing jumping ability and can take flying catches. During the 2014 Indian Premier League, he made one of his most remarkable catches when he caught the ball very near the boundary rope, put it back inside the boundary, and then returned to finish the catch with a diving catch. Among the most dramatic moments in IPL history, it was. He is not only among the world’s best fielders but also among the best finishing batsmen in cricket history.

Virat Kohli: India

Across all game formats, Virat Kohli is the best cricket player of the contemporary age. He has unmatched batting records in T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. In addition, he is on track to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in cricket history and presently owns the record for the most centuries in One-Day International cricket. However, his intensity in the field propels him to the top of the list of cricket’s best fielders. It is he who has changed the perception of how important fitness is in cricket. He has amazing ground fielding skills, following every ball, making amazing catches, and precisely fielding balls from a distance to force runouts. The finest aspect is that he is the one who motivates everyone on the pitch and serves as a real motivator for any player that plays with him to perform better.

Steve Smith: Australia

Without a question, one of the best batsmen of all time is Steve Smith. However, his fielding skills are as impressive. With lightning-fast reactions, he performs best when positioned at the slips. Steve Smith is such a terrific fielder that if you’ve edged one behind and he’s in the slips, you’d be better off walking without even checking to see if he’s grasped onto the catch. Putting on blinkers and clinging to the simple ones, he will make every catch appear incredibly simple.

Faf du Plessis: South Africa

In the ODI and T20 cricket formats, Faf du Plessis is among the world’s finest fielders. He has an uncanny ability to read the game and judge the ball’s trajectory and route. He performs best in the mid-on, mid-off fielding positions. He gives it his all every time he’s on the pitch, never holding back either making a deep dive to finish a catch or sprinting behind to take a challenging one. He is a very skilled batsman and captain in addition to being one of the top fielders in cricket, qualities that have helped the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL in recent years.

Ricky Ponting: Australia

Ricky Ponting is regarded as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history because of his safe catching, powerful arm, and amazing accuracy. He has ran out more batsmen than virtually anybody else. On the pitch, he was incredibly skilled and athletic. Ponting could always be relied upon to aim crisply at the stumps and make impossible catches look simple. Furthermore, Ponting is considered as one of the three greatest batters of all time. One of the greatest players in cricket history, he guided Australia to two World Cup titles as captain.

Top 10 Best Fielder in Cricket History

Follow Bite-Size Cricket News at Cricket Sutra

[garavigujarat02]

IPL 2024: Dhoni relinquishes captaincy of Chennai Super Kings

CHENNAI SUPER Lords are set to start their Indian Head Association title guard against Illustrious Challengers Bengaluru, denoting a possibly essential season for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who surrendered as skipper on Thursday (21).

Dhoni played his last global in 2019 yet remains one of the country's most famous players, and keeping in mind that the 42-year-old made it clear that things are pulling back last season he actually assisted Chennai with bringing home a fifth championship to match Mumbai Indians' take.

Media reports have said 2024 could be the previous India captain's final appearance and the wicketkeeper-batsman, who had knee medical procedure last year, gave over the captaincy to batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad in front of Friday's (22) opener.

Dhoni has captained Chennai starting from the beginning of the association in 2008 and the group didn't give insights concerning his future past the current year's version.

"Ruturaj has been a vital piece of Chennai starting around 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The group anticipates the impending season," Chennai included a proclamation.

While Chennai may before long need to get ready for existence without their charm, Mumbai made one of the most discussed pre-season moves by marking Hardik Pandya to assume control over the captaincy from India colleague Rohit Sharma.

Pandya showed his administration characteristics by directing Gujarat to the 2022 title however may find Mumbai fans harder to prevail upon after the group's choice to eliminate the association's joint-best commander from his job.

Having recovered wellness after a lower leg injury sustained at the 50-overs World Cup in October, Pandya will likewise hope to hit structure before the T20 World Cup which will be arranged in West Indies and the US from June.

A few top Britain players will be missing from the IPL, with Delhi Capitals batsman Harry Creek skirting the competition after the demise of his grandma, while Imprint Wood, Gus Atkinson and Jason Roy are dealing with their responsibilities.

Ben Stirs up and Joe Root quit the player closeout in December, denying the IPL of additional a-list names, however Australia will be very much addressed, most eminently by huge cash signings Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Starc turned into the most costly player in the association's set of experiences, drawing in an eye-watering $2.98 million bid from Kolkata Knight Riders after public group captain Cummins momentarily held that distinction as Sunrisers Hyderabad bid $2.46m for him.

Bengaluru's Virat Kohli will add to the association's star power and is supposed to return against Chennai in the wake of missing India's 4-1 test series win upon Britain for individual reasons.

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Gasp will likewise be back for Delhi Capitals after his close lethal fender bender in December 2022 however pace bowler Mohammed Shami will miss Gujarat's mission after a heel activity.

Friday's initial game will be trailed by twofold headers at the end of the week, with 21 matches set to occur across 10 urban areas by April 7. The Indian cricket board will deliver the rest of the timetable subsequent to considering general political decision dates.

[daddyscore]

KL Rahul reacts midway as he is stunned by Gavaskar's 'top 10 century in Indian history' shoutout

Earning praise from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar remains the ultimate dream for every cricketer, and on Wednesday it was KL Rahul's turn to tick it off his bucket list. Sure enough, this wasn't the first time Rahul received a compliment from the former captain of Team India, but the magnitude of Gavaskar's praise will sure make it special. Rahul scored his 8th Test century, which is arguably the greatest of his career, as his knock of 101 propelled India to 245 against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

As expected, Rahul was showered with praise, but Gavaskar's took the cake. Gavaskar said during the commentary, "I've been watching cricket for the last 50 years, but I can surely say that this century by Rahul is in the Top 10 centuries scored by Indians in Test cricket.” After stumps, during the post-day press conference, Rahul was asked about his reaction to this once-in-a-lifetime compliment by Sunny G. The reporter asked, "As Mr. Gavaskar said, this is probably one of the 10 best Tests by any batter in any condition for India." but before he could finish his sentence, an excited KL Rahul let out an exclamatory "WOW" before elaborating his point of view.

KL said, "Firstly, I'm very humbled that he's made that comment. It's a pretty huge compliment to get. Batting in the middle order, what I've realized is that you can't really plan your innings all that much when you walk in. There is a situation in front of you. The game tells you how you need to play and what you need to do at that time and in that moment.”

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] Earning a praise from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar remains the ultimate dream for every cricketer, and on Wednesday it was KL Rahul's turn to tick it off his bucket list. Sure enough, this wasn't the first time Rahul received a compliment from the former India captain, but the magnitude of Gavaskar's praise will sure make it special. Rahul scored his 8th Test century – arguably the greatest of his career – as his knock of 101 propelled India to 245 against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. On a pitch that wasn't easy to bat on and one that was slowly losing pace, Rahul showed immense grit in batting with the tail and added 56 runs with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for the last two wickets. KL Rahul has all the reasons to smile and be happy(Screenshot) As expected, Rahul was showered with praises, but Gavaskar's took the cake. "I've been watching cricket for the last 50 years, but I can surely say that this hundred by Rahul is in the Top 10 centuries scored by Indians in Test cricket," he said during commentary. After stumps, during the post-day press conference, Rahul was asked about his reaction to this once-in-a-lifetime compliment by Sunny G. The reporter asked: "As Mr. Gavaskar said that this is probably one of 10 best Test hundreds by any batter in any conditions for India…" but before he could finish his sentence, an excited let out an exclamatory "WOW" before elaborating his point of view. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Firstly, I'm very humbled he's made that comment. It's a pretty huge compliment to get. Batting in the middle order, what I've realised is that you can't really plan your innings all that much when you walk in. There is a situation in front of you. The game tells you how you need to play and what you need to do in that time and in that moment," he said. Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar's monumental tweet makes KL Rahul's historic century in 1st Test vs South Africa more special "That's what I try to do walk in with very free and empty mindset when I'm batting and see what the game demands of me and try and do my best. Yesterday and today the situation was quite clear: I am batting with the tail and need to take my chances. I tried to score as many runs as possible so I'm pretty happy." Rahul on whether outside noise affected himRahul's century could be a turning point in his Test career. 2023 wasn't the greatest of year for him – at least the first-half certainly wasn't. After a forgettable Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia, Rahul was dropped from the team and stripped of vice-captaincy. Besides, a thigh injury sustained during the IPL kept him out of action for a decent chunk of time. However, upon his return, Rahul found his true calling while batting for India at No. 5 in ODIs. After a successful Asia Cup and World Cup, the management went with Rahul in a similar direction in Tests as well. And the result is a century in his very first innings batting at No. 5. In the trailer of a Star Sports special featuring Rahul, the India batter is seen discussing a tough time in his career and how he was targetted for his batting failures. Weighing in on the same, Rahul explained his mental toughness and what it takes to distance himself away from the negativity engulfing the internet. "When the injury happened and I was away from the game for a long time, I worked on myself and tried to go back to the person that I am. I realized that I can't get affected by these things and change myself; rather I shouldn't change myself. It's difficult to remain yourself, remain true to your personality when there's so much happening; it's the hardest thing. But like anything else in cricket and life, there are ways to work on it, there are people who can help you if your mind is open. So when I was out of the game, I worked on myself and worked on remaining calmer and taking care of what's happening inside my head," he pointed out. "There's no point expressing myself on social media. People who want to say things will still say it. What I have realized is that in sport, if you are in the public eye, your performance is the only way you can stay away from negative comments. What I try to do is focus on my game and performance. The farther you stay from these things, the better." [ad_2] Source link

[cricketbazaar]

Top 3 Knocks By Rohit Sharma In Test Cricket

Over the past few years, Rohit Sharma - who is renowned for his powerful hitting and elegant stroke play - has undergone a significant transformation. Once widely regarded as a limited-overs specialist, the Hitman has hushed his critics and become a pivotal figure in India's Test cricket resurgence. Rohit's development from a T20 superstar to a capable Test batsman demonstrates his adaptability and unwavering determination. He possesses a special gift that is typically reserved for the finest players: the ability to effortlessly transition between forms. His exploits in the shorter forms continue to enthrall fans, but his achievements in Test cricket have solidified his status as a contemporary icon. With a combination of strength, timing, and attitude, Rohit Sharma has produced innings of exceptional excellence in the game's longest format. His ability to lead the innings and his propensity for scoring enormous totals make him an essential element of the Indian Test team, especially in the upcoming cricket matches. Let's examine some of the maestro's best knocks played in the red-ball format.

212 vs South Africa, 2019 Ranchi

Rohit Sharma had a spectacular comeback in Test cricket in 2019. He had an outstanding game and finished as the series' leading run-scorer. In three tests, Rohit Sharma amassed 529 runs at an average of 132.25. In the series' third Test match, he scored his highest-ever Test Cricket score. Rohit Sharma's run rate was unaltered even when players like Mayank Agarwal, Pujara, and Kohli were dismissed at low scores. He scored 212 runs in just 255 balls with a strike rate of over 80, including six sixes and 28 fours inside his knock. His effort helped India collect 497 runs in the first innings. India won that match by 202 runs and an inning.

177 vs West Indies, 2013 Kolkata

India's current captain, Rohit Sharma, made his Test debut in November 2013 at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata during Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test match against the West Indies. The skipper of India had an outstanding Test debut. After the West Indies scored 234 runs in the first innings, India amassed an incredible 453 runs in the second, thanks to a spectacular knock by Rohit Sharma. The hitman came onto the pitch during a difficult part of the game. India had lost four wickets and only managed 82 runs. However, Rohit Sharma then struck with a stunning punch. In order to take control of the game, he assisted in forming crucial alliances with MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit Sharma was quite successful, scoring 177 runs in 301 balls with 23 fours and 1 six, setting the live scorecard on fire. Apart from saving the innings, he also registered his first hundred in the already long list of Rohit Sharma centuries. Moreover, this was the innings that established his reputation as a dangerous player.

176 vs South Africa, 2019 Visakhapatnam 

In Test cricket, Rohit Sharma's performances deteriorated after he made some outstanding knocks in the first few games. He was later dismissed from the squad. Rohit Sharma was given another chance to start his Test Cricket career again before the 2019 World Test Championship started. Rohit Sharma began for India against South Africa at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium, scoring 176 runs off 244 balls in his first return innings. He helped the team to 502 runs in the first innings by sharing an incredible 317 runs for the first wicket with Mayank Agarwal. India won by 203 runs in that match.