<p>India beat Afghanistan in a thrilling double Super Over encounter in the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Opting to bat first, India rode on captain Rohit Sharma's 121 not out and Rinku Singh's 69* to post 212/4 after reeling at 22-4. In reply, Afghanistan ended at 212/6 after fifties from Gulbadin Naib (55*), openers Rahmatullah Gurbaz (50), captain Ibrahim Zadran (50) and Mohammed Nabi's 16-ball 34*. There were two successive Super Overs where India held their nerve to win and complete a series whitewash.</p>

<p>While Shivam Dube didn't get going and only managed 1 in the final T20I, he was in top form with two back-to-back fifties in the opening encounters. He returned with 60* and 63* in the earlier games before falling flat in the inconsequential tie. In addition, he chipped in with two wickets to end as the Player-of-the-Series award. After the series, head coach Rahul Dravid heaped praise on Dube, saying he has returned to the T20I setup as a much-improved performer. Dube made his international debut in late 2019 but soon lost his place.</p>

<p>Since his successful stint at the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp in IPL 2023, Dube has gained the limelight and returned to the T20I fold. Thus, Dravid feels he is now an improved player.</p>

<p>Dravid said&nbsp;at the post-match press conference, "I'm happy for him because he made a comeback after a long time. He is certainly come back an improved player. There's no doubt that he always had the talent. But really happy to see the way he performed in this series. I’m sure it'll give him a lot of confidence as well. You come back in, play a series and become the Player of the Series. I think it's great."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-rohit-sharma-levels-with-ms-dhoni-for-most-wins-as-t20i-captain-after-run-fest-in-bengaluru-681128">Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma levels with MS Dhoni for most wins as T20I captain after run-fest in Bengaluru</a></strong></p>

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<p>Dravid also praised Dube’s bowling performances in the Afghan series. He added, "He'll have the opportunity to show in the IPL again like he did last year. But really happy for him, he showed us that he's got some really good ability through those middle overs against spin and also with the ball. I think he bowled some good overs and he's learnt some lessons as well. I can be a very unforgiving place, bowling in a place like Bengaluru."</p>

<p>Dube will aim for another good run with CSK in the IPL 2024 edition to strengthen his case for the T20 World Cup, in West Indies and USA in June. Last year, he ended with&nbsp;418 runs at a strike rate of 158.33.</p>


India beat Afghanistan in a thrilling double Super Over encounter in the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Opting to bat first, India rode on captain Rohit Sharma's 121 not out and Rinku Singh's 69* to post 212/4 after reeling at 22-4.

India beat Afghanistan in a thrilling double Super Over encounter in the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Opting to bat first, India rode on captain Rohit Sharma's 121 not out and Rinku Singh's 69* to post 212/4 after reeling at 22-4. In reply, Afghanistan ended at 212/6 after fifties from Gulbadin Naib (55*), openers Rahmatullah Gurbaz (50), captain Ibrahim Zadran (50) and Mohammed Nabi's 16-ball 34*. There were two successive Super Overs where India held their nerve to win and complete a series whitewash. While Shivam Dube didn't get going and only managed 1 in the final T20I, he was in top form with two back-to-back fifties in the opening encounters. He returned with 60* and 63* in the earlier games before falling flat in the inconsequential tie. In addition, he chipped in with two wickets to end as the Player-of-the-Series award. After the series, head coach Rahul Dravid heaped praise on Dube, saying he has returned to the T20I setup as a much-improved performer. Dube made his international debut in late 2019 but soon lost his place. Since his successful stint at the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp in IPL 2023, Dube has gained the limelight and returned to the T20I fold. Thus, Dravid feels he is now an improved player. Dravid said at the post-match press conference, "I'm happy for him because he made a comeback after a long time. He is certainly come back an improved player. There's no doubt that he always had the talent. But really happy to see the way he performed in this series. I’m sure it'll give him a lot of confidence as well. You come back in, play a series and become the Player of the Series. I think it's great." Also read: Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma levels with MS Dhoni for most wins as T20I captain after run-fest in Bengaluru × Dravid also praised Dube’s bowling performances in the Afghan series. He added, "He'll have the opportunity to show in the IPL again like he did last year. But really happy for him, he showed us that he's got some really good ability through those middle overs against spin and also with the ball. I think he bowled some good overs and he's learnt some lessons as well. I can be a very unforgiving place, bowling in a place like Bengaluru." Dube will aim for another good run with CSK in the IPL 2024 edition to strengthen his case for the T20 World Cup, in West Indies and USA in June. Last year, he ended with 418 runs at a strike rate of 158.33.

Ind vs Afg: Shivam Dube has certainly come back an improved player, says head coach Rahul Dravid

<p>India edged past Afghanistan in a double Super Over encounter during the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium,&nbsp;Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Having an unassailable lead in the three-match series, Rohit Sharma-led India opted to bat first in the final game. Reeling at 22-4, India posted 212/4 courtesy of a 190-run unbeaten stand between skipper Rohit (121*) and Rinku Singh (69 not out). In reply, Afghanistan rode on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and&nbsp;Ibrahim Zadran's 50 each along with Gulbadin Naib's quickfire 55* and Mohammed Nabi's 16-ball 34 not out to post 212/6. The match went into two successive Super Overs before India won, with Rohit equalling former captain MS Dhoni for most wins as T20I captain.&nbsp;</p>

<p><b>MOST WINS AS T20I CAPTAIN</b></p>

<p><em>Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>MS Dhoni (India) - 42</em></p>

<p><strong><em>Rohit Sharma (India) – 42*</em></strong></p>

<p><em>Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Eoin Morgan (England) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Brian Masaba (Uganda) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Aaron Finch (Australia) - 40</em></p>

<p>Rohit, who came back into the T20I setup during the series after 14 months, had 39 victories as skipper at the start of the Afghan series, but a whitewash helped him become India's joint-most successful captain in the format. Overall, he is at par with Afghanistan's Asghar Afghan and Dhoni.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-v-afg-coach-dravid-lauds-rohit-for-doing-ashwin-like-swap-in-two-super-over-thriller-in-3rd-t20i-681058">IND v AFG: Coach Dravid lauds Rohit for doing 'Ashwin-like swap' in double super-over thriller in 3rd T20I</a></strong></p>

<p>Talking about the third T20I, India rode on Rohit's 121 not out, laced with 11 fours and 8 sixes, and Rinku's well-compiled 39-ball 69, comprising 6 sixes, to post a mammoth total after a horrid start. In response, Afghanistan also managed to end with the same score. In the first Super Over, Afghanistan set up a stiff 17-run target for India and the hosts needed two off the final ball before the game was pushed to the second Super Over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the second Super Over, India set up a 12-run target for Afghanistan who only managed a single to lose the contest. This was India's last contest heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 edition, which will commence in early June in the West Indies and the USA. India are placed in Group A along with USA, Ireland, Pakistan and Canada.&nbsp;</p>


India edged past Afghanistan in a double Super Over encounter during the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Having an unassailable lead in the three-match series, Rohit Sharma-led India opted to bat first in the final game.

India edged past Afghanistan in a double Super Over encounter during the third and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday (Jan 17). Having an unassailable lead in the three-match series, Rohit Sharma-led India opted to bat first in the final game. Reeling at 22-4, India posted 212/4 courtesy of a 190-run unbeaten stand between skipper Rohit (121*) and Rinku Singh (69 not out). In reply, Afghanistan rode on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's 50 each along with Gulbadin Naib's quickfire 55* and Mohammed Nabi's 16-ball 34 not out to post 212/6. The match went into two successive Super Overs before India won, with Rohit equalling former captain MS Dhoni for most wins as T20I captain. MOST WINS AS T20I CAPTAIN Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan) - 42 MS Dhoni (India) - 42 Rohit Sharma (India) – 42* Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 42 Eoin Morgan (England) - 42 Brian Masaba (Uganda) - 42 Aaron Finch (Australia) - 40 Rohit, who came back into the T20I setup during the series after 14 months, had 39 victories as skipper at the start of the Afghan series, but a whitewash helped him become India's joint-most successful captain in the format. Overall, he is at par with Afghanistan's Asghar Afghan and Dhoni. × Also read: IND v AFG: Coach Dravid lauds Rohit for doing 'Ashwin-like swap' in double super-over thriller in 3rd T20I Talking about the third T20I, India rode on Rohit's 121 not out, laced with 11 fours and 8 sixes, and Rinku's well-compiled 39-ball 69, comprising 6 sixes, to post a mammoth total after a horrid start. In response, Afghanistan also managed to end with the same score. In the first Super Over, Afghanistan set up a stiff 17-run target for India and the hosts needed two off the final ball before the game was pushed to the second Super Over. In the second Super Over, India set up a 12-run target for Afghanistan who only managed a single to lose the contest. This was India's last contest heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 edition, which will commence in early June in the West Indies and the USA. India are placed in Group A along with USA, Ireland, Pakistan and Canada.

Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma equals MS Dhoni for most wins as T20I captain after run-fest in Bengaluru

<p>Team India is set to assemble in Hyderabad on Jan 20 to&nbsp;undergo a four-day practice session before the five-match Test series opener versus England, which kicks off on Jan 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The series holds a lot of significance with regard to the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. At present, Rohit Sharma-led India occupy the second spot whereas England is in the eighth position.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per Cricbuzz, Virat Kohli is expected to take a day off after his net session on Jan 21. He has been given the nod by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend the Ram Temple Consecration in Ayodhya on Jan 22.&nbsp;Currently, the Rohit-led Indian team is involved in the three T20Is versus Afghanistan at home. They have locked horns with the Afghans in the third and inconsequential tie at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru with the series in their pocket after an unassailable 2-0 lead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Ben Stokes-England team will arrive in Hyderabad on Jan 21 following their preparations in Abu Dhabi. Their late arrival hasn't been well received back home, with former pacer Steve Harmison not mincing his words.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/who-will-say-no-to-t20-world-cup-shami-hopeful-of-being-part-of-mega-event-with-good-run-in-ipl-2024-680874">'Who will say no to T20 World Cup?': Shami hopeful of being part of mega event with good run in IPL 2024</a></strong></p>

<h2>'You'd never go to Australia three days before the Gabba. Why go three days before (to) Hyderabad?'</h2>

<p>Talking on radio station talkSport's Following On podcast, Harmison recently said,&nbsp;"I'm an old man and that's what they're going to say, the times have changed. But preparation hasn't changed. You cannot go into India underprepared, you cannot go into India over-prepared. You could be in India six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test and the emotion of that."</p>

<p>"I love the new approach with Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key, and everything the ECB has done. But I'm sorry, you'd never go to an Ashes series three days before. You'd never go to Australia three days before the Gabba. Why go three days before (to) Hyderabad? We've got five Test matches in India, you've got to prepare in the right way with overs under your belt, balls faced, and acclimatising," he added.</p>

<p>England's last Test series win in India came in 2012/13. Back then, the visitors reached India&nbsp;almost two weeks in advance. Meanwhile, the last Test series between both sides ended in a 2-2 stalemate, held in the United Kingdom from 2021-22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Early this month, BCCI announced India's squad for the first two Tests.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>India’s squad for the first two Tests vs England:</strong> Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan</p>


Team India is set to assemble in Hyderabad on Jan 20 to undergo a four-day practice session before the five-match Test series opener versus England, which kicks off on Jan 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Team India is set to assemble in Hyderabad on Jan 20 to undergo a four-day practice session before the five-match Test series opener versus England, which kicks off on Jan 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The series holds a lot of significance with regard to the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. At present, Rohit Sharma-led India occupy the second spot whereas England is in the eighth position. As per Cricbuzz, Virat Kohli is expected to take a day off after his net session on Jan 21. He has been given the nod by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend the Ram Temple Consecration in Ayodhya on Jan 22. Currently, the Rohit-led Indian team is involved in the three T20Is versus Afghanistan at home. They have locked horns with the Afghans in the third and inconsequential tie at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru with the series in their pocket after an unassailable 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Ben Stokes-England team will arrive in Hyderabad on Jan 21 following their preparations in Abu Dhabi. Their late arrival hasn't been well received back home, with former pacer Steve Harmison not mincing his words. Also read: 'Who will say no to T20 World Cup?': Shami hopeful of being part of mega event with good run in IPL 2024 'You'd never go to Australia three days before the Gabba. Why go three days before (to) Hyderabad?' Talking on radio station talkSport's Following On podcast, Harmison recently said, "I'm an old man and that's what they're going to say, the times have changed. But preparation hasn't changed. You cannot go into India underprepared, you cannot go into India over-prepared. You could be in India six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test and the emotion of that." "I love the new approach with Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key, and everything the ECB has done. But I'm sorry, you'd never go to an Ashes series three days before. You'd never go to Australia three days before the Gabba. Why go three days before (to) Hyderabad? We've got five Test matches in India, you've got to prepare in the right way with overs under your belt, balls faced, and acclimatising," he added. England's last Test series win in India came in 2012/13. Back then, the visitors reached India almost two weeks in advance. Meanwhile, the last Test series between both sides ended in a 2-2 stalemate, held in the United Kingdom from 2021-22. Early this month, BCCI announced India's squad for the first two Tests. India’s squad for the first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan

Ind vs Eng: Team India to assemble in Hyderabad on Jan 20, five days ahead of Test series opener

<p>A lot is brewing up in the lead-up to the marquee Test series between India and England starting January 25 in Hyderabad. Though the hosts are ready to walk out in the middle with the same template that kept them on the winning side at home for over a decade now, ex-England captain Nasser Hussain feels with Bazball getting ready for its maiden India tour, results are likely to differ this time.</p>

<p>Knowing how dangerous India is at home, especially in Tests, Hussain thinks this new-look England Team will walk in with the similar mindset that brought life into Test cricket since the appointment of Stokes and McCullum in the leadership group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The home team has picked a potent team for the first two Tests, with all four of Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav on the 16-man squad.&nbsp;England also named the uncapped duo of Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, alongside picking rookie Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach in their team.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/prakhar-chaturvedi-smashes-yuvraj-singhs-record-to-enter-history-books-in-cooch-behar-trophy-final-680245">Cooch Behar Trophy final: Prakhar Chaturvedi smashes Yuvraj Singh's record to enter history books</a></strong></p>

<p>Hussain feels if India continues to ask for rank-turners this time across five Tests, they might just shoot themselves in the&nbsp;foot, given how dangerous English spinners could prove on such tracks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, while mentioning Bazball, Hussain backed the ultra-attacking approach to breach India’s stronghold on such pitches at home.</p>

<p>"'I think what India should do is ask for good pitches that spin a bit because I think their spinners and batters will then out-bat and out-spin ours,'' Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.</p>

<p>''If they ask for pitches that spin a lot then it becomes a bit of a lottery and brings England's spinners into the game. The way Bazball goes about its business, they won't die wondering," the former captain added.</p>

<h2>England ‘all set’ for India</h2>

<p>England was the last team that won a Test series on Indian soil in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>12 years later, Ben Stokes has a chance to rewrite history.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Back together 🤝<br />
Preparing 🏏<br />
Building 💪<br />
<br />
Abu Dhabi 📌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvENG</a> <a href="https://t.co/PwIip979Fz">pic.twitter.com/PwIip979Fz</a></p>
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1746811963504574827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, Hussain, who commentated during the 2023 World Cup, noticed how several home fans were eagerly waiting to put Bazball to bed come the Test series.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"My sense in the World Cup was that a lot of Indian fans are waiting to see how to put Bazball to bed," Hussain noted while expecting an exciting contest between both teams.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>India vs England 2024 Test schedule –</h3>

<ul>
	<li>1st Test – January 25-29 – Hyderabad</li>
	<li>2nd Test – February 2-6 – Vizag</li>
	<li>3rd Test – February 15-19 – Rajkot</li>
	<li>4th Test – February 23-27 – Ranchi</li>
	<li>5th Test – March 7-11 – Dharamsala</li>
</ul>


A lot is brewing up in the lead-up to the marquee Test series between India and England starting January 25 in Hyderabad. Though the hosts are ready to walk out in the middle with the same template that kept them on the winning side at home for over a decade now, ex-England captain Nasser Hussain feels with Bazball getting ready for its maiden India tour, results are likely to differ this time.

A lot is brewing up in the lead-up to the marquee Test series between India and England starting January 25 in Hyderabad. Though the hosts are ready to walk out in the middle with the same template that kept them on the winning side at home for over a decade now, ex-England captain Nasser Hussain feels with Bazball getting ready for its maiden India tour, results are likely to differ this time. Knowing how dangerous India is at home, especially in Tests, Hussain thinks this new-look England Team will walk in with the similar mindset that brought life into Test cricket since the appointment of Stokes and McCullum in the leadership group. The home team has picked a potent team for the first two Tests, with all four of Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav on the 16-man squad. England also named the uncapped duo of Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, alongside picking rookie Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach in their team. ALSO READ: Cooch Behar Trophy final: Prakhar Chaturvedi smashes Yuvraj Singh's record to enter history books Hussain feels if India continues to ask for rank-turners this time across five Tests, they might just shoot themselves in the foot, given how dangerous English spinners could prove on such tracks. Also, while mentioning Bazball, Hussain backed the ultra-attacking approach to breach India’s stronghold on such pitches at home. "'I think what India should do is ask for good pitches that spin a bit because I think their spinners and batters will then out-bat and out-spin ours,'' Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports. ''If they ask for pitches that spin a lot then it becomes a bit of a lottery and brings England's spinners into the game. The way Bazball goes about its business, they won't die wondering," the former captain added. England ‘all set’ for India England was the last team that won a Test series on Indian soil in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook. 12 years later, Ben Stokes has a chance to rewrite history. Back together 🤝 Preparing 🏏 Building 💪 Abu Dhabi 📌 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/PwIip979Fz — England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 15, 2024 × However, Hussain, who commentated during the 2023 World Cup, noticed how several home fans were eagerly waiting to put Bazball to bed come the Test series. "My sense in the World Cup was that a lot of Indian fans are waiting to see how to put Bazball to bed," Hussain noted while expecting an exciting contest between both teams. India vs England 2024 Test schedule – 1st Test – January 25-29 – Hyderabad 2nd Test – February 2-6 – Vizag 3rd Test – February 15-19 – Rajkot 4th Test – February 23-27 – Ranchi 5th Test – March 7-11 – Dharamsala

Nasser Hussain issues warning to hosts as England’s Bazball gets ready for India Tests

<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the post of one national selector for the senior men’s team on their official website. The published invite doesn’t indicate who would make way for the new selector in the selection committee. Former India seamer Ajit Agarkar (from the West Zone) heads the five-member selection team.</p>

<p>As per norms, the selection committee must consist of five selectors, one from each zone (North, South, East, West and Central), with the most experienced member (in terms of Test caps) getting to lead the selection panel. However, no selector can have a combined term of more than five years (junior and senior selection panels considered).</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/replacing-smith-at-number-four-is-tough-acknowledges-australias-cameron-green-ahead-of-west-indies-tests-680189">'Replacing Smith at number four is tough,' acknowledges Australia's Cameron Green ahead of West Indies Tests</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, following Chetan Sharma’s (North zone) departure as the chief selector last July, the BCCI brought in Ajit Agarkar as his replacement at the top, meaning the selection panel now has two selectors from the West Zone, including Salil Ankola, SS Das from the East, S Sharath from South and Subroto Banerjee from Central.</p>

<p>Going by this list, the BCCI might want to rope someone from the North zone, with one of the two men from the West (mainly Ankola) to make way for the incoming selector.</p>

<p>As&nbsp;per the BCCI website, all applicants have until 6 PM IST on January 25 to submit their candidature. The Indian Cricket Board will screen the candidates before zeroing in on the shortlisted ones for interview. The player should have played seven Tests (minimum) or 30 first-class matches or 10&nbsp;ODIs and 20 first-class games to be eligible for applying.</p>

<p>No final date for the interview has been announced yet.</p>

<h2>Selection Committee named squad for England Tests</h2>

<p>The current senior men’s selection committee named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against England, starting with the first game in Hyderabad on January 25.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the second Test in Vizag, the BCCI selectors will name the squad for the remaining three Tests.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH -&nbsp;Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape</strong></p>

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<p>Right after the England series, the IPL 2024 will get underway in March, with the T20 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean and the USA in June as the next major assignment.&nbsp;</p>


The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the post of one national selector for the senior men’s team on their official website.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the post of one national selector for the senior men’s team on their official website. The published invite doesn’t indicate who would make way for the new selector in the selection committee. Former India seamer Ajit Agarkar (from the West Zone) heads the five-member selection team. As per norms, the selection committee must consist of five selectors, one from each zone (North, South, East, West and Central), with the most experienced member (in terms of Test caps) getting to lead the selection panel. However, no selector can have a combined term of more than five years (junior and senior selection panels considered). ALSO READ: 'Replacing Smith at number four is tough,' acknowledges Australia's Cameron Green ahead of West Indies Tests Meanwhile, following Chetan Sharma’s (North zone) departure as the chief selector last July, the BCCI brought in Ajit Agarkar as his replacement at the top, meaning the selection panel now has two selectors from the West Zone, including Salil Ankola, SS Das from the East, S Sharath from South and Subroto Banerjee from Central. Going by this list, the BCCI might want to rope someone from the North zone, with one of the two men from the West (mainly Ankola) to make way for the incoming selector. As per the BCCI website, all applicants have until 6 PM IST on January 25 to submit their candidature. The Indian Cricket Board will screen the candidates before zeroing in on the shortlisted ones for interview. The player should have played seven Tests (minimum) or 30 first-class matches or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class games to be eligible for applying. No final date for the interview has been announced yet. Selection Committee named squad for England Tests The current senior men’s selection committee named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against England, starting with the first game in Hyderabad on January 25. After the second Test in Vizag, the BCCI selectors will name the squad for the remaining three Tests. ALSO WATCH - Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape × Right after the England series, the IPL 2024 will get underway in March, with the T20 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean and the USA in June as the next major assignment.

BCCI invites applications for senior national men’s selector’s post

<p>India great Virat Kohli recently revealed that he and tennis legend Novak Djokovic have been chatting on Instagram for some time, although they haven't met in person yet. Considered to be two all-time bests in their respective sports, Kohli and Djokovic follow each other on social media platform Instagram. Virat disclosed what happened when he once decided to text Novak.</p>

<p>Speaking on the BCCI.tv, Virat revealed when he clicked on the Messages Icon on Instagram to text Novak, he noticed that the Serbian star had already texted, something that he hadn’t checked earlier.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/former-india-all-rounder-yuvraj-singh-says-ravi-ashwin-doesnt-deserve-place-in-white-ball-team-679841">Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh says Ravi Ashwin 'doesn't deserve place in white-ball team'</a></strong></p>

<p>“I got in touch with Novak very organically,” Kohli told bcci.tv.</p>

<p>“When I saw his profile on Instagram, I pressed the message button, I thought I would just message him. Then I saw his message already on my DM.”</p>

<p>"I had never opened it. It was the first time I had opened my own messages. And he's messaged me himself. So, first, I thought, let me just check, maybe it's a fake account. Then I checked again, it was legitimate. Then we got talking,” the India great added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH VIDEO -</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who else is waiting for this rendezvous 😉☕️<br />
<br />
📽️ WATCH the full video on <a href="https://t.co/Z3MPyeL1t7">https://t.co/Z3MPyeL1t7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a> <a href="https://t.co/YAIg0DDfFX">pic.twitter.com/YAIg0DDfFX</a></p>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1746451964811182325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Virat said Novak had even put an Instagram story, congratulating the India batter for completing his 50th ODI ton during the home World Cup last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Virat added that they both admire each other's work and are proud of what they have achieved and that he follows Novak’s fitness mantra, which helped Kohli stay head and shoulders ahead of everyone in cricket.</p>

<p>"When I got 50th ODI century recently, Novak Djokovic put out a story and sent me a nice message as well, so there is mutual admiration and respect - really nice to connect with global athletes who are excelling at a high level. I have a lot of respect for him and his journey… his passion for fitness is something I dearly follow myself. So, there was a lot to connect on,” Kohli added.</p>

<h2>Djokovic praises Kohli</h2>

<p>Currently in Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the Year – the Australian Open 2024, Novak also expressed his mutual admiration for Virat, saying despite not meeting in person, he connects well with Virat on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH -&nbsp;Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape</strong></p>

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<p>"Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few years. We never got the chance to meet in person, but it was an honour and privilege to listen to him speak nicely about me," Djokovic said on Sony Sports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I admire his career and his achievements. I started to play cricket. I'm not very good at it. I have a task to perfect my cricket skills before I get to India so that I don't embarrass myself when I am there,” Novak added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SomdevD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SomdevD</a> speaks with tennis legend <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a>, unravelling his bond with India &amp; his inspiring journey to greatness 🙌💙<br />
<br />
P.S. - Did you know Djokovic &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> were text buddies? 🤗<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SonySportsNetwork?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SonySportsNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SlamOfTheGreats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SlamOfTheGreats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NovakDjokovic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NovakDjokovic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustralianOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/J9E7xP2koF">pic.twitter.com/J9E7xP2koF</a></p>
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonySportsNetwk/status/1746128360240259443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Virat will feature in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Indore on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>


India great Virat Kohli recently revealed that he and tennis legend Novak Djokovic have been chatting on Instagram for some time, although they haven't met in person yet.

India great Virat Kohli recently revealed that he and tennis legend Novak Djokovic have been chatting on Instagram for some time, although they haven't met in person yet. Considered to be two all-time bests in their respective sports, Kohli and Djokovic follow each other on social media platform Instagram. Virat disclosed what happened when he once decided to text Novak. Speaking on the BCCI.tv, Virat revealed when he clicked on the Messages Icon on Instagram to text Novak, he noticed that the Serbian star had already texted, something that he hadn’t checked earlier. ALSO READ: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh says Ravi Ashwin 'doesn't deserve place in white-ball team' “I got in touch with Novak very organically,” Kohli told bcci.tv. “When I saw his profile on Instagram, I pressed the message button, I thought I would just message him. Then I saw his message already on my DM.” "I had never opened it. It was the first time I had opened my own messages. And he's messaged me himself. So, first, I thought, let me just check, maybe it's a fake account. Then I checked again, it was legitimate. Then we got talking,” the India great added. WATCH VIDEO - Who else is waiting for this rendezvous 😉☕️ 📽️ WATCH the full video on https://t.co/Z3MPyeL1t7 #TeamIndia | @imVkohli | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/YAIg0DDfFX — BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024 × Virat said Novak had even put an Instagram story, congratulating the India batter for completing his 50th ODI ton during the home World Cup last year. Virat added that they both admire each other's work and are proud of what they have achieved and that he follows Novak’s fitness mantra, which helped Kohli stay head and shoulders ahead of everyone in cricket. "When I got 50th ODI century recently, Novak Djokovic put out a story and sent me a nice message as well, so there is mutual admiration and respect - really nice to connect with global athletes who are excelling at a high level. I have a lot of respect for him and his journey… his passion for fitness is something I dearly follow myself. So, there was a lot to connect on,” Kohli added. Djokovic praises Kohli Currently in Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the Year – the Australian Open 2024, Novak also expressed his mutual admiration for Virat, saying despite not meeting in person, he connects well with Virat on social media. ALSO WATCH - Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape × "Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few years. We never got the chance to meet in person, but it was an honour and privilege to listen to him speak nicely about me," Djokovic said on Sony Sports. "I admire his career and his achievements. I started to play cricket. I'm not very good at it. I have a task to perfect my cricket skills before I get to India so that I don't embarrass myself when I am there,” Novak added. .@SomdevD speaks with tennis legend @DjokerNole, unravelling his bond with India & his inspiring journey to greatness 🙌💙 P.S. - Did you know Djokovic & @imVkohli were text buddies? 🤗#SonySportsNetwork #SlamOfTheGreats #NovakDjokovic #AO2024 #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/J9E7xP2koF — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) January 13, 2024 × Meanwhile, Virat will feature in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Indore on Sunday.

Virat Kohli opens up on chatting with tennis legend Novak Djokovic on Instagram

<p>Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a stunning return to first-class cricket after six years, picking his 13th five-for. He&nbsp;achieved the feat&nbsp;against Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Kumar's compatriot from Karnataka, lanky Prasidh Krishna, picked up a left quadriceps injury during day one against Gujarat in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>After being asked to bat first on a green top in Kanpur, Bengal dismissed UP for&nbsp;just 60, with India pacer Mohammed Shami’s younger brother Mohammed Kaif picking&nbsp;4/14 in 5.5 overs.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-rohit-sharma-led-team-india-include-dhruv-jurel-for-first-two-tests-after-ishan-kishan-faces-axe-679454">IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma-led Team India include Dhruv Jurel for first two Tests after Ishan Kishan faces axe</a></strong></p>

<p>Bhuvneshwar began his magic&nbsp;with the new ball by returning with bowling figures of five for 25 in 13 overs, including three maidens. Bhuvi, as most fans in India call him, last played a Test against South Africa in 2018. Against Bengal, he first accounted for Sourav Paul (13) and Sudip Gharami (0) in the space of three balls before returning to pick Anustup Majumdar (12), captain Manoj Tiwary (3) and Abhishek Porel (12) in the same spell.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/BhuviOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BhuviOfficial</a> on fire 🔥<br />
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A five-wicket haul and he's taken all 5⃣ Bengal wickets to fall so far. What a splendid spell 👌👌<a href="https://twitter.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RanjiTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RanjiTrophy</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPvBEN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPvBEN</a><br />
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Follow the match ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/yRqgNJxmLY">https://t.co/yRqgNJxmLY</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dqu0OgJMk0">pic.twitter.com/Dqu0OgJMk0</a></p>
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIdomestic/status/1745766534210003135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, at stumps on day one, Bengal’s scorecard read 95 for five, with opener Sayan Gosh batting at 37 off 87 balls.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Krishna injured on Ranji return</h2>

<p>After making his Test debut against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Prasidh Krishna injured his leg on his return to Ranji Trophy cricket in India. The seamer hobbled off the field after bowling 14.5 overs, during which he picked wickets of Manan Hingrajia and Siddharth Desai as Karnataka bundled out Gujarat for 264 in 88 overs.</p>

<p>Although Krishna is getting treated under the Karnataka team physio, he&nbsp;being a contracted BCCI player,&nbsp;can also link up with the India-A support staff, who&nbsp;are also in Ahmedabad for the two-day practice game against the touring England Lions.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>India name squad for first two England Tests</h3>

<p>On Friday night, the BCCI named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against England, starting January 25 in Hyderabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma continues to lead the team, with Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and the spin-bowling all-rounders Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also picked.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH -&nbsp;Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape</strong></p>

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<p>While Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have also been named in&nbsp;the squad, seasoned seamer Shami misses out due to injury.</p>

<p>The Indian Cricket Board also picked keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, while KL Rahul and KS Bharat have&nbsp;also been included in the squad.</p>

<p><strong>Here is the squad –</strong></p>

<p>Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain) and Avesh Khan</p>


Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a stunning return to first-class cricket after six years, picking his 13th five-for. He achieved the feat against Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a stunning return to first-class cricket after six years, picking his 13th five-for. He achieved the feat against Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Kumar's compatriot from Karnataka, lanky Prasidh Krishna, picked up a left quadriceps injury during day one against Gujarat in Ahmedabad. After being asked to bat first on a green top in Kanpur, Bengal dismissed UP for just 60, with India pacer Mohammed Shami’s younger brother Mohammed Kaif picking 4/14 in 5.5 overs. ALSO READ: IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma-led Team India include Dhruv Jurel for first two Tests after Ishan Kishan faces axe Bhuvneshwar began his magic with the new ball by returning with bowling figures of five for 25 in 13 overs, including three maidens. Bhuvi, as most fans in India call him, last played a Test against South Africa in 2018. Against Bengal, he first accounted for Sourav Paul (13) and Sudip Gharami (0) in the space of three balls before returning to pick Anustup Majumdar (12), captain Manoj Tiwary (3) and Abhishek Porel (12) in the same spell. .@BhuviOfficial on fire 🔥 A five-wicket haul and he's taken all 5⃣ Bengal wickets to fall so far. What a splendid spell 👌👌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #UPvBEN Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/yRqgNJxmLY pic.twitter.com/Dqu0OgJMk0 — BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 12, 2024 × Meanwhile, at stumps on day one, Bengal’s scorecard read 95 for five, with opener Sayan Gosh batting at 37 off 87 balls. Krishna injured on Ranji return After making his Test debut against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Prasidh Krishna injured his leg on his return to Ranji Trophy cricket in India. The seamer hobbled off the field after bowling 14.5 overs, during which he picked wickets of Manan Hingrajia and Siddharth Desai as Karnataka bundled out Gujarat for 264 in 88 overs. Although Krishna is getting treated under the Karnataka team physio, he being a contracted BCCI player, can also link up with the India-A support staff, who are also in Ahmedabad for the two-day practice game against the touring England Lions. India name squad for first two England Tests On Friday night, the BCCI named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against England, starting January 25 in Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma continues to lead the team, with Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and the spin-bowling all-rounders Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also picked. ALSO WATCH - Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane jailed for eight years for rape × While Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have also been named in the squad, seasoned seamer Shami misses out due to injury. The Indian Cricket Board also picked keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, while KL Rahul and KS Bharat have also been included in the squad. Here is the squad – Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain) and Avesh Khan

Bhuvneshwar shines on return to domestic cricket with five-for, Prasidh Krishna injured during Ranji tie

<p>Virat Kohli has entertained the global stage of cricket with an illustrious career spanning over 15 years where he won every possible trophy at the international level. While the entire world knows his accomplishments on the cricket field, it is hard to find anyone who has not noticed him. With 265 million followers on Instagram, he is one of the most popular sports athletes on the planet.</p>

<p>However, one football legend did not know about Virat when he was quizzed recently.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Speed - Do you know Virat Kohli, he is the GOAT of cricket?!<br />
<br />
Ronaldo Nazario- Yeah definitely. <a href="https://t.co/MbFYNCoRGf">pic.twitter.com/MbFYNCoRGf</a></p>
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) <a href="https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1745096633153687582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>What was the incident?</strong></h2>

<p>Youtube influencer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as Speed, recently caught up with Brazil football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup winner Ronaldo Luís Nazári. In a video surfacing on the internet, Speed was seen asking Ronaldo about Virat Kohli to which he answered – “Who’s Virat Kohli?”</p>

<p>The answer left Speed stunned and he came up with Virat’s picture and showed it to Ronaldo upon which he recognised the Indian cricket legend.</p>

<p>Speed also had to mention about Virat’s accomplishments while comparing him to Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, stating how better he is.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiger-woods-nike-part-ways-after-27-years-678134/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Virat has left no stone unturned during his illustrious career on the cricketing field.</p>

<p>Like Ronaldo, he too is considered a living legend in their respective sports.</p>

<p>Ronaldo’s best year came in 2002 when he won the Ballon d’Or coupled with a World Cup, while Virat’s best year came in 2011 when he won the ODI World Cup.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-rohit-kohli-have-ordinary-ipl-gavaskar-on-indias-possible-t20-wc-squad-makes-bold-suggestion-678940">‘If Rohit, Kohli have ordinary IPL…’: Gavaskar on India's possible T20 WC squad, makes BOLD suggestion</a></p>

<p>He came close to repeating that success in 2023 when hosts India reached the final of the ODI World Cup.</p>

<p>However, India lost that final against Australia in a one-sided contest.</p>

<p>But Kohli made sure he forged his legacy with an eye-catching performance. He scored 763 runs in 11 matches with nine 50-plus scores while also breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI hundreds with 50.</p>

<p>He is currently second to Tendulkar (100) for most hundreds at the international level with 80.</p>

<p>Virat will be next in action on Sunday (Jan 14) when India take on Afghanistan in the second T20I in Indore. Virat will not play in the first T20I in Mohali due to personal reasons and will arrive directly in Indore for the second contest.</p>


Virat Kohli has entertained the global stage of cricket with an illustrious career spanning over 15 years where he won every possible trophy at the international level.

Virat Kohli has entertained the global stage of cricket with an illustrious career spanning over 15 years where he won every possible trophy at the international level. While the entire world knows his accomplishments on the cricket field, it is hard to find anyone who has not noticed him. With 265 million followers on Instagram, he is one of the most popular sports athletes on the planet. However, one football legend did not know about Virat when he was quizzed recently. Speed - Do you know Virat Kohli, he is the GOAT of cricket?! Ronaldo Nazario- Yeah definitely. pic.twitter.com/MbFYNCoRGf — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 10, 2024 × What was the incident? Youtube influencer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as Speed, recently caught up with Brazil football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup winner Ronaldo Luís Nazári. In a video surfacing on the internet, Speed was seen asking Ronaldo about Virat Kohli to which he answered – “Who’s Virat Kohli?” The answer left Speed stunned and he came up with Virat’s picture and showed it to Ronaldo upon which he recognised the Indian cricket legend. Speed also had to mention about Virat’s accomplishments while comparing him to Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, stating how better he is. Virat has left no stone unturned during his illustrious career on the cricketing field. Like Ronaldo, he too is considered a living legend in their respective sports. Ronaldo’s best year came in 2002 when he won the Ballon d’Or coupled with a World Cup, while Virat’s best year came in 2011 when he won the ODI World Cup. ALSO READ | ‘If Rohit, Kohli have ordinary IPL…’: Gavaskar on India's possible T20 WC squad, makes BOLD suggestion He came close to repeating that success in 2023 when hosts India reached the final of the ODI World Cup. However, India lost that final against Australia in a one-sided contest. But Kohli made sure he forged his legacy with an eye-catching performance. He scored 763 runs in 11 matches with nine 50-plus scores while also breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI hundreds with 50. He is currently second to Tendulkar (100) for most hundreds at the international level with 80. Virat will be next in action on Sunday (Jan 14) when India take on Afghanistan in the second T20I in Indore. Virat will not play in the first T20I in Mohali due to personal reasons and will arrive directly in Indore for the second contest.

‘Who’s Virat Kohli?': Brazil's Ronaldo answers when quizzed over Indian cricket legend

<p>Virat Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar's ODI tally (49) to become the batter with most tons in the shortest format during the 2023&nbsp;World Cup at home, in early November. At present, the 35-year-old has 80 international tons and is only 20 away from equalling Tendulkar's tally (100 -- most ever by any batter). While many believe Kohli has a chance to equal and eventually go past his idol's tally, former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd is fully confident of the Indian star batter bettering Tendulkar's record.</p>

<p>"I do not know about the period, but he is young enough, and I am sure that the way he is playing he can achieve anything he wants to achieve, and it would be something to be quite happy to achieve," Lloyd, who led West Indies to two successive ODI WC triumphs in 1975 and 1979,&nbsp;said during an event in Kolkata.</p>

<p><strong>MOST INTERNATIONAL TONS IN MEN's CRICKET</strong></p>

<p>Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 100</p>

<p><strong>Virat Kohli (India) - 80*</strong></p>

<p>Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC) - 71</p>

<p>Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka/ICC/Asia) - 63</p>

<p>Jacques Kallis (South Africa/ICC/Africa) - 62</p>

<p>Hashim Amla (South Africa/World) - 55</p>

<p>At 35, Kohli remains one of the fittest cricketers in world cricket. He is an active player for India across all formats, having returned to the T20I setup in early January&nbsp;after 14 months, and has plenty of big assignments coming up where he can rake in a plethora of runs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-rohit-sharma-creates-history-becomes-1st-man-to-be-part-of-100-t20i-wins-after-mohali-tie-679226">Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma creates history, becomes 1st man to be part of 100 T20I wins after Mohali tie</a></strong></p>

<p>During the home ODI WC, Kohli ended with the most runs (765 -- most by a batter in a single edition). He was also among the runs in the India-South Africa Test series&nbsp;in the African nation, scoring vital knocks, including 76 in Centurion and an impressive&nbsp;46 in the final encounter in Cape Town.</p>

<p>Kohli is currently part of India's three T20Is versus Afghanistan at home, where he missed the series opener&nbsp;in Mohali on Thursday (Jan 11), due to personal reasons. He is expected to play the final two games, with the second and penultimate tie to be held on Sunday (Jan 14) in Indore.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Virat Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar's ODI tally (49) to become the batter with most tons in the shortest format during the 2023 World Cup at home, in early November.

Virat Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar's ODI tally (49) to become the batter with most tons in the shortest format during the 2023 World Cup at home, in early November. At present, the 35-year-old has 80 international tons and is only 20 away from equalling Tendulkar's tally (100 -- most ever by any batter). While many believe Kohli has a chance to equal and eventually go past his idol's tally, former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd is fully confident of the Indian star batter bettering Tendulkar's record. "I do not know about the period, but he is young enough, and I am sure that the way he is playing he can achieve anything he wants to achieve, and it would be something to be quite happy to achieve," Lloyd, who led West Indies to two successive ODI WC triumphs in 1975 and 1979, said during an event in Kolkata. MOST INTERNATIONAL TONS IN MEN's CRICKET Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 100 Virat Kohli (India) - 80* Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC) - 71 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka/ICC/Asia) - 63 Jacques Kallis (South Africa/ICC/Africa) - 62 Hashim Amla (South Africa/World) - 55 At 35, Kohli remains one of the fittest cricketers in world cricket. He is an active player for India across all formats, having returned to the T20I setup in early January after 14 months, and has plenty of big assignments coming up where he can rake in a plethora of runs. Also read: Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma creates history, becomes 1st man to be part of 100 T20I wins after Mohali tie During the home ODI WC, Kohli ended with the most runs (765 -- most by a batter in a single edition). He was also among the runs in the India-South Africa Test series in the African nation, scoring vital knocks, including 76 in Centurion and an impressive 46 in the final encounter in Cape Town. Kohli is currently part of India's three T20Is versus Afghanistan at home, where he missed the series opener in Mohali on Thursday (Jan 11), due to personal reasons. He is expected to play the final two games, with the second and penultimate tie to be held on Sunday (Jan 14) in Indore.

Virat Kohli can break many more records of Sachin Tendulkar, feels West Indies legend Clive Lloyd

<p>Rohit Sharma is set to make his return in T20Is in India's three-match series opener versus Afghanistan, which will be held on Thursday (Jan 11) in Mohali. Ahead of the series opener, former Indian stumper Saba Karim feels Rohit still has the intensity and aggression to lead India to a World Cup title&nbsp;after missing out on last year's home ODI WC.</p>

<p>Speaking on Jio Cinema, Karim said, "This is a wonderful phase for Rohit Sharma. The way he led India in the ODI World Cup goes to shows his desire to win the World Cup for India. Rohit is in prime form. His fitness also has helped him grow in confidence. That is the reason why the Indian selectors have again opted for Rohit to lead the side, to bring that kind of stability to the side as a captain and as a batter."</p>

<p>Karim opined, "The way he walked the talk in the recently-concluded one-day matches. It just goes to show he still has the intensity and the aggression to lead India to that much-awaited World Cup triumph."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-afghanistan-1st-t20i-match-preview-and-result-prediction-678829">India vs Afghanistan 2024, 1st T20I: Match preview and result prediction</a></strong></p>

<p>Rohit, as well as Virat Kohli, have not played a T20I since the 2022 T20 WC. However, the duo has returned to the T20I setup where they host the Afghans&nbsp;ahead of the 2024 T20 WC&nbsp;in West Indies and USA in June. Karim feels Rohit's all-out approach in the powerplays during the ODI WC helped him get back to the T20I setup, along with his credible leadership.</p>

<p>The former stumper highlighted, "That (Powerplay approach in ODIs) is one of the main reasons that we are seeing Rohit Sharma once again as a player and as a captain in T20Is. The intensity with which he batted in one-day cricket, the aggression that he showed. He paved a path for batting in white-ball cricket. He did and showed it to the rest of the team, lead from the front."</p>

<p>"Rohit has a lot of experience. He has been playing T20 cricket for years. People do find it hard from switching from red-ball to white-ball cricket. But, I think Rohit, with his experience, he will be able to do that very easily," added&nbsp;Karim.</p>

<p>Rohit has&nbsp;3,853 runs from 148 T20Is, at 31.32, at a strike rate of 139.24.</p>


Rohit Sharma is set to make his return in T20Is in India's three-match series opener versus Afghanistan, which will be held on Thursday (Jan 11) in Mohali. Ahead of the series opener, former Indian stumper Saba Karim feels Rohit still has the intensity and aggression to lead India to a World Cup title after missing out on last year's home ODI WC.

Rohit Sharma is set to make his return in T20Is in India's three-match series opener versus Afghanistan, which will be held on Thursday (Jan 11) in Mohali. Ahead of the series opener, former Indian stumper Saba Karim feels Rohit still has the intensity and aggression to lead India to a World Cup title after missing out on last year's home ODI WC. Speaking on Jio Cinema, Karim said, "This is a wonderful phase for Rohit Sharma. The way he led India in the ODI World Cup goes to shows his desire to win the World Cup for India. Rohit is in prime form. His fitness also has helped him grow in confidence. That is the reason why the Indian selectors have again opted for Rohit to lead the side, to bring that kind of stability to the side as a captain and as a batter." Karim opined, "The way he walked the talk in the recently-concluded one-day matches. It just goes to show he still has the intensity and the aggression to lead India to that much-awaited World Cup triumph." Also read: India vs Afghanistan 2024, 1st T20I: Match preview and result prediction Rohit, as well as Virat Kohli, have not played a T20I since the 2022 T20 WC. However, the duo has returned to the T20I setup where they host the Afghans ahead of the 2024 T20 WC in West Indies and USA in June. Karim feels Rohit's all-out approach in the powerplays during the ODI WC helped him get back to the T20I setup, along with his credible leadership. The former stumper highlighted, "That (Powerplay approach in ODIs) is one of the main reasons that we are seeing Rohit Sharma once again as a player and as a captain in T20Is. The intensity with which he batted in one-day cricket, the aggression that he showed. He paved a path for batting in white-ball cricket. He did and showed it to the rest of the team, lead from the front." "Rohit has a lot of experience. He has been playing T20 cricket for years. People do find it hard from switching from red-ball to white-ball cricket. But, I think Rohit, with his experience, he will be able to do that very easily," added Karim. Rohit has 3,853 runs from 148 T20Is, at 31.32, at a strike rate of 139.24.

Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma still has intensity and aggression to lead India to WC title - Former Indian stumper

<p>Virat Kohli has jumped three spots to claim the sixth position in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batters whereas Indian captain Rohit Sharma entered the top 10 following his crucial knocks in India's second and final Test versus South Africa, at Newlands, Cape Town. In the bowling list, India's pace duo Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah -- both of whom accounted for five-fers in the Cape Town win -- has also improved their rankings whereas Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and R Ashwin remained at top.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ICC Test Rankings for batters</strong></p>

<p>Kane Williamson - 864 rating points</p>

<p>Joe Root - 859 rating points</p>

<p>Steve Smith - 818 rating points</p>

<p>Marnus Labuschagne - 802 rating points</p>

<p>Daryl Mitchell - 786 rating points</p>

<p>Virat Kohli - 775 rating points</p>

<p>Harry Brook - 773 rating points</p>

<p>Babar Azam - 768 rating points</p>

<p>Usman Khawaja - 764 rating points</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma - 748 rating points</p>

<p>New Zealand's former captain Kane Williamson continues to hold the top spot with Australia's No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne also making a jump, by three spots.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-rohit-sharma-aims-to-equal-former-captain-ms-dhonis-historic-feat-on-t20i-comeback-678514">Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma aims to equal former captain MS Dhoni's HISTORIC feat on T20I comeback</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>ICC Test Rankings for bowlers&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>R Ashwin - 863 rating points</p>

<p>Pat Cummins - 858 rating points</p>

<p>Kagiso Rabada - 851 rating points</p>

<p>Jasprit Bumrah - 787 rating points</p>

<p>Ravindra Jadeja - 774 rating points</p>

<p>Ollie Robinson - 762 rating points</p>

<p>James Anderson - 761 rating points</p>

<p>Josh Hazlewood - 761 rating points</p>

<p>Mitchell Starc - 753 rating points</p>

<p>Prabath Jayasuriya - 751 rating points</p>

<p>Despite R Ashwin missing India's final Test versus South Africa, he holds the top position. Australian captain Cummins has closed in the gap with Ashwin. Josh Hazlewood has also equalled with England's veteran James Anderson, at the seventh spot, following his good run in Australia's third and final Test win over Pakistan at the SCG, Sydney. In the match, Hazlewood ended with five wickets (including four from the second innings).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ravindra Jadeja remains the top all-rounder in the purest format, with a rating points of 434. Meanwhile, Australia have dethroned India to become the No. 1 ranked side in Tests following India's drawn series versus South Africa in the African nation. The Aussies inflicted a series whitewash over Pakistan, which ended on Jan 6, with a 3-0 scoreline and will look to bolster their lead in the upcoming home Tests versus West Indies.&nbsp;</p>


Virat Kohli has jumped three spots to claim the sixth position in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batters whereas Indian captain Rohit Sharma entered the top 10 following his crucial knocks in India's second and final Test versus South Africa, at Newlands, Cape Town.

Virat Kohli has jumped three spots to claim the sixth position in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batters whereas Indian captain Rohit Sharma entered the top 10 following his crucial knocks in India's second and final Test versus South Africa, at Newlands, Cape Town. In the bowling list, India's pace duo Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah -- both of whom accounted for five-fers in the Cape Town win -- has also improved their rankings whereas Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and R Ashwin remained at top. ICC Test Rankings for batters Kane Williamson - 864 rating points Joe Root - 859 rating points Steve Smith - 818 rating points Marnus Labuschagne - 802 rating points Daryl Mitchell - 786 rating points Virat Kohli - 775 rating points Harry Brook - 773 rating points Babar Azam - 768 rating points Usman Khawaja - 764 rating points Rohit Sharma - 748 rating points New Zealand's former captain Kane Williamson continues to hold the top spot with Australia's No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne also making a jump, by three spots. Also read: Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma aims to equal former captain MS Dhoni's HISTORIC feat on T20I comeback ICC Test Rankings for bowlers R Ashwin - 863 rating points Pat Cummins - 858 rating points Kagiso Rabada - 851 rating points Jasprit Bumrah - 787 rating points Ravindra Jadeja - 774 rating points Ollie Robinson - 762 rating points James Anderson - 761 rating points Josh Hazlewood - 761 rating points Mitchell Starc - 753 rating points Prabath Jayasuriya - 751 rating points Despite R Ashwin missing India's final Test versus South Africa, he holds the top position. Australian captain Cummins has closed in the gap with Ashwin. Josh Hazlewood has also equalled with England's veteran James Anderson, at the seventh spot, following his good run in Australia's third and final Test win over Pakistan at the SCG, Sydney. In the match, Hazlewood ended with five wickets (including four from the second innings). Ravindra Jadeja remains the top all-rounder in the purest format, with a rating points of 434. Meanwhile, Australia have dethroned India to become the No. 1 ranked side in Tests following India's drawn series versus South Africa in the African nation. The Aussies inflicted a series whitewash over Pakistan, which ended on Jan 6, with a 3-0 scoreline and will look to bolster their lead in the upcoming home Tests versus West Indies.

ICC Test Rankings: Virat Kohli jumps three spots to claim 6th position, Rohit Sharma enters top 10

<p>Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marked their return to India's T20I setup when the BCCI selectors announced the national side's 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match series versus Afghanistan at home. Rohit and Kohli have not played a T20I since India's 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss to eventual winners England in Adelaide. As the three T20Is versus the Afghans&nbsp;get&nbsp;underway on Thursday (Jan 11) in Mohali, Rohit is on the cusp of equalling MS Dhoni's historic captaincy record.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is to be noted that Rohit&nbsp;has 39 wins in 51 T20Is. On the other hand, former skipper Dhoni ended his T20I captaincy tenure&nbsp;winning 42 out of 72 matches. Hence, if India inflict a series whitewash over the Afghans, Rohit will level Dhoni as the joint-most successful India captain in men's T20Is. With India gearing up for the 2024 T20 WC, to be held in West Indies and USA in June, it will certainly boost Rohit's confidence if he levels with Dhoni, India's sole T20 WC-winning captain.&nbsp;</p>

<h3><b>MOST WINS AS T20I CAPTAIN</b></h3>

<p><em>Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>MS Dhoni (India) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Eoin Morgan (England) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Brian Masaba (Uganda) - 42</em></p>

<p><em>Aaron Finch (Australia) - 40</em></p>

<p><em>Rohit Sharma (India) – 39</em></p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/former-south-africa-player-cites-virat-kohlis-example-to-keep-tests-as-priority-over-t20-leagues-678327">Former South Africa player cites Virat Kohli's example to give Tests priority over T20 leagues</a></strong></p>

<p>Under Rohit, India have achieved considerable success in T20Is. They beat Sri Lanka (home), West Indies (home and away), and England (away) since he became the permanent T20I captain. Before that, he led India to the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka&nbsp;in early 2018 when then-all-format captain Kohli was rested. At present, India are the No. 1 ranked side in the format.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series –</h2>

<p>Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar</p>


Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marked their return to India's T20I setup when the BCCI selectors announced the national side's 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match series versus Afghanistan at home.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marked their return to India's T20I setup when the BCCI selectors announced the national side's 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match series versus Afghanistan at home. Rohit and Kohli have not played a T20I since India's 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss to eventual winners England in Adelaide. As the three T20Is versus the Afghans get underway on Thursday (Jan 11) in Mohali, Rohit is on the cusp of equalling MS Dhoni's historic captaincy record. It is to be noted that Rohit has 39 wins in 51 T20Is. On the other hand, former skipper Dhoni ended his T20I captaincy tenure winning 42 out of 72 matches. Hence, if India inflict a series whitewash over the Afghans, Rohit will level Dhoni as the joint-most successful India captain in men's T20Is. With India gearing up for the 2024 T20 WC, to be held in West Indies and USA in June, it will certainly boost Rohit's confidence if he levels with Dhoni, India's sole T20 WC-winning captain. MOST WINS AS T20I CAPTAIN Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan) - 42 MS Dhoni (India) - 42 Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 42 Eoin Morgan (England) - 42 Brian Masaba (Uganda) - 42 Aaron Finch (Australia) - 40 Rohit Sharma (India) – 39 Also read: Former South Africa player cites Virat Kohli's example to give Tests priority over T20 leagues Under Rohit, India have achieved considerable success in T20Is. They beat Sri Lanka (home), West Indies (home and away), and England (away) since he became the permanent T20I captain. Before that, he led India to the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka in early 2018 when then-all-format captain Kohli was rested. At present, India are the No. 1 ranked side in the format. India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series – Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar

Ind vs Afg: Rohit Sharma aims to equal former captain MS Dhoni's HISTORIC feat on T20I comeback

<p>On Tuesday (Jan 9), Indian&nbsp;pacer Mohammed Shami was bestowed with the Arjuna Award by the President of India,&nbsp;Droupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards. Shami's name was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following his sensational run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished with the most wickets (24) with a best of 7 for 57 in the semi-final match versus New Zealand.</p>

<p>Later, after receiving the prestigious award, Shami wrote on X saying, "Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs... thanks to My Coach, BCCI, teammates, family, and staff and big thanks to my fans. Thanks for recognising my hard work. I will always try to give my best to make my country proud... Again thanks to everyone.. Congratulations to other Arjua award winners."</p>

<p>Other Arjuna Award winners include Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics), Aditi Swami (Archery), Diksha Dagar( (Golf), Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi), Sunil Kumar (Wrestling), Ajay Reddy (Blind Cricket), etc.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-world-cup-winners-nominated-for-icc-mens-cricketer-of-the-year-2023-award-677935">Virat Kohli, World Cup winners nominated for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2023 award</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>HERE IS THE VIDEO OF SHAMI RECEIVING THE ARJUNA AWARD (SECOND-HIGHEST SPORTING HONOUR OF INDIA)</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A memorable moment for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> pacer Mohd. Shami who is conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards 👏🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalSportsAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalSportsAwards</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rashtrapatibhvn</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MdShami11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MdShami11</a> <a href="https://t.co/zYXldurEU1">pic.twitter.com/zYXldurEU1</a></p>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1744638099110633746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Talking about Shami's performance in the ODI WC, he was not part of the Indian playing XI for the first four games. An injury to Hardik Pandya led to his entry into the XI and Shami made a mark in his very first game, versus New Zealand in Dharamshala, with a 5 for 54. He attained another five-fer in India's face-off versus Sri Lanka in the group stage, with a 5 for 18 before claiming his third five-wicket haul in the mega tournament, during the semifinal encounter versus the Kiwis where he accounted for 7 for 57 in a high-scoring thriller.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from Shami, as many as 25 more athletes were bestowed with the Arjuna Award; a list majorly dominated by India's top performers in their historic run in the 2023 Asian Games in China. In the showpiece event, India outperformed themselves with a record tally of 107 medals.</p>


On Tuesday (Jan 9), Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was bestowed with the Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards. Shami's name was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following his sensational run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished with the most wickets (24) with a best of 7 for 57 in the semi-final match versus New Zealand.

On Tuesday (Jan 9), Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was bestowed with the Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards. Shami's name was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following his sensational run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished with the most wickets (24) with a best of 7 for 57 in the semi-final match versus New Zealand. Later, after receiving the prestigious award, Shami wrote on X saying, "Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs... thanks to My Coach, BCCI, teammates, family, and staff and big thanks to my fans. Thanks for recognising my hard work. I will always try to give my best to make my country proud... Again thanks to everyone.. Congratulations to other Arjua award winners." Other Arjuna Award winners include Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics), Aditi Swami (Archery), Diksha Dagar( (Golf), Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi), Sunil Kumar (Wrestling), Ajay Reddy (Blind Cricket), etc. Also read: Virat Kohli, World Cup winners nominated for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2023 award HERE IS THE VIDEO OF SHAMI RECEIVING THE ARJUNA AWARD (SECOND-HIGHEST SPORTING HONOUR OF INDIA) A memorable moment for #TeamIndia pacer Mohd. Shami who is conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards 👏🏆#NationalSportsAwards | @rashtrapatibhvn | @MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/zYXldurEU1 — BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2024 × Talking about Shami's performance in the ODI WC, he was not part of the Indian playing XI for the first four games. An injury to Hardik Pandya led to his entry into the XI and Shami made a mark in his very first game, versus New Zealand in Dharamshala, with a 5 for 54. He attained another five-fer in India's face-off versus Sri Lanka in the group stage, with a 5 for 18 before claiming his third five-wicket haul in the mega tournament, during the semifinal encounter versus the Kiwis where he accounted for 7 for 57 in a high-scoring thriller. Apart from Shami, as many as 25 more athletes were bestowed with the Arjuna Award; a list majorly dominated by India's top performers in their historic run in the 2023 Asian Games in China. In the showpiece event, India outperformed themselves with a record tally of 107 medals.

India pacer Mohammed Shami receives prestigious Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu - Watch

<p>On Sunday (Jan 7), the BCCI selectors announced India's squad for the upcoming home T20Is versus Afghanistan, starting on Jan 11 in Mohali. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headlined the squad announcement as the duo returned to the T20I setup after&nbsp;a gap of one year.&nbsp;Since India's semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, the two had not played a T20I but their return has bolstered India's plans for the 2024 T20 WC in West Indies and USA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With white-ball vice-captain Hardik Pandya nursing an injury, there are strong chances of hitman Rohit&nbsp;leading India in the forthcoming ICC event. Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth feels all signs suggest that Rohit will&nbsp;captain India in the upcoming edition of the T20 WC.</p>

<p>Srikkanth&nbsp;on his YouTube channel said, "All signs suggest that Rohit Sharma is going to lead India in T20 World Cup. That’s how it’s going. The very fact that he is made captain now,&nbsp;yes, Hardik Pandya is injured, Suryakumar Yadav, who was the deputy, is also not available due to injury. Jasprit Bumrah is also not there. Rohit Sharma will be the captain. See, Mumbai Indians making Hardik Pandya captain is the franchise’s choice. From the team selection, Rohit Sharma will only captain India in T20 World Cup in all probability. It’s moving toward that."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/bcci-selectors-looking-beyond-wicketkeeper-ishan-kishan-in-t20is-says-report-677687">BCCI selectors 'looking beyond' wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan in T20Is, says report</a></strong></p>

<h2>'The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him'</h2>

<p>Further, Srikkanth feels Rohit will play aggressively at the top as his hunger to win a World Cup as a captain remains unfulfilled despite India's dream run in the 2023 ODI WC at home.</p>

<p>"Rohit will play with total freedom in the IPL. He will play attacking cricket, like he did in the World Cup. The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him. If India had beaten Australia on November 19, things would have been different. He now wants to win a World Cup as a captain. A T20 World Cup is a World Cup at the end of the day. He would love to achieve it. Yes, 50-over World Cup is considered big, but if you win a T20 World Cup, you are still a World Cup-winning captain," Srikkanth added.</p>

<p>"At the end of the day, he wants to prove a point to himself. He seems to be determined to win a World Cup as captain," the 1983 ODI World Cup-winning member concluded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both Rohit and Kohli will be eager to make a mark versus Afghanistan, which is India's last T20I series before the T20 WC in June. The series gets underway on Jan 11 in Mohali.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series –</h2>

<p>Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar</p>


On Sunday (Jan 7), the BCCI selectors announced India's squad for the upcoming home T20Is versus Afghanistan, starting on Jan 11 in Mohali. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headlined the squad announcement as the duo returned to the T20I setup after a gap of one year.

On Sunday (Jan 7), the BCCI selectors announced India's squad for the upcoming home T20Is versus Afghanistan, starting on Jan 11 in Mohali. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headlined the squad announcement as the duo returned to the T20I setup after a gap of one year. Since India's semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, the two had not played a T20I but their return has bolstered India's plans for the 2024 T20 WC in West Indies and USA. With white-ball vice-captain Hardik Pandya nursing an injury, there are strong chances of hitman Rohit leading India in the forthcoming ICC event. Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth feels all signs suggest that Rohit will captain India in the upcoming edition of the T20 WC. Srikkanth on his YouTube channel said, "All signs suggest that Rohit Sharma is going to lead India in T20 World Cup. That’s how it’s going. The very fact that he is made captain now, yes, Hardik Pandya is injured, Suryakumar Yadav, who was the deputy, is also not available due to injury. Jasprit Bumrah is also not there. Rohit Sharma will be the captain. See, Mumbai Indians making Hardik Pandya captain is the franchise’s choice. From the team selection, Rohit Sharma will only captain India in T20 World Cup in all probability. It’s moving toward that." Also read: BCCI selectors 'looking beyond' wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan in T20Is, says report 'The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him' Further, Srikkanth feels Rohit will play aggressively at the top as his hunger to win a World Cup as a captain remains unfulfilled despite India's dream run in the 2023 ODI WC at home. "Rohit will play with total freedom in the IPL. He will play attacking cricket, like he did in the World Cup. The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him. If India had beaten Australia on November 19, things would have been different. He now wants to win a World Cup as a captain. A T20 World Cup is a World Cup at the end of the day. He would love to achieve it. Yes, 50-over World Cup is considered big, but if you win a T20 World Cup, you are still a World Cup-winning captain," Srikkanth added. "At the end of the day, he wants to prove a point to himself. He seems to be determined to win a World Cup as captain," the 1983 ODI World Cup-winning member concluded. Both Rohit and Kohli will be eager to make a mark versus Afghanistan, which is India's last T20I series before the T20 WC in June. The series gets underway on Jan 11 in Mohali. India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series – Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar

All signs suggest Rohit Sharma will lead India in T20 WC, says former player Kris Srikkanth

<p>Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the side for the Afghanistan T20Is, as BCCI named a 16-man squad for the three-match series starting on January 11. The board picked a relatively inexperienced team with several top names missing, with Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah being a few.</p>

<h2>Here is India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series –</h2>

<p>Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨 NEWS 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a>’s squad for <a href="https://twitter.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> T20I series against Afghanistan announced 🔽<br />
<br />
Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav,…</p>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1743989935747797076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h3>Top players missing</h3>

<p>In the absence of several top names due to injuries, with Hardik Pandya (out with ankle injury), Suryakumar Yadav (out with ankle&nbsp;injury), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (out with finger injury) among others ruled out, India picked Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/unhappy-ab-de-villiers-blames-t20-crickets-rise-for-shorter-south-africa-india-test-series-raises-concerns-677462">‘Unhappy’ AB de Villiers blames T20 cricket’s rise for shorter South Africa-India Test series, raises concerns</a></strong></p>

<p>While Virat will bat at his favourite number 3 position, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson are set to take up the middle-order spots. With the emergence of a new finisher in the team, Rinku Singh, the lower order looks sorted. The presence of two all-rounders, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, helps India to tick off the attacker’s role.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Washington Sundar’s inclusion also adds value to the team, as BCCI named two outright spinners in Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep, Avesh and Mukesh compile the three-men pace attack, while the hosts have also named Jitesh Sharma as the backup keeper.</p>

<h3>Veterans return after a lengthy time off</h3>

<p>For the first time since the last T20 World Cup semi-final in November 2022, where England thrashed India by 10 wickets in Adelaide, Rohit and Virat have returned to India’s T20I squad.</p>

<p>Given last year’s home 50-over World Cup was the focal point for all teams, including India, both remained unavailable for limited T20Is scheduled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, with 2024 being the T20 World Cup year (scheduled in June in the Caribbean and the USA), Rohit and Virat have returned to the final 16.</p>

<p>Their inclusion indicates the sign of things to come despite rumours of BCCI planning to name Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain and replacing Kohli with attacking Ishan Kishan for the number 3 slot for the marquee event.</p>

<p>Moreover, Ravindra Jadeja’s underwhelming show in South Africa prompted BCCI to name Axar Patel ahead of him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India will play three T20Is against Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>


Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the side for the Afghanistan T20Is, as BCCI named a 16-man squad for the three-match series starting on January 11.

Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the side for the Afghanistan T20Is, as BCCI named a 16-man squad for the three-match series starting on January 11. The board picked a relatively inexperienced team with several top names missing, with Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah being a few. Here is India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series – Rohit Sharma (captain), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar 🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia’s squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank T20I series against Afghanistan announced 🔽 Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav,… — BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2024 × Top players missing In the absence of several top names due to injuries, with Hardik Pandya (out with ankle injury), Suryakumar Yadav (out with ankle injury), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (out with finger injury) among others ruled out, India picked Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers. ALSO READ: ‘Unhappy’ AB de Villiers blames T20 cricket’s rise for shorter South Africa-India Test series, raises concerns While Virat will bat at his favourite number 3 position, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson are set to take up the middle-order spots. With the emergence of a new finisher in the team, Rinku Singh, the lower order looks sorted. The presence of two all-rounders, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, helps India to tick off the attacker’s role. Washington Sundar’s inclusion also adds value to the team, as BCCI named two outright spinners in Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep, Avesh and Mukesh compile the three-men pace attack, while the hosts have also named Jitesh Sharma as the backup keeper. Veterans return after a lengthy time off For the first time since the last T20 World Cup semi-final in November 2022, where England thrashed India by 10 wickets in Adelaide, Rohit and Virat have returned to India’s T20I squad. Given last year’s home 50-over World Cup was the focal point for all teams, including India, both remained unavailable for limited T20Is scheduled. However, with 2024 being the T20 World Cup year (scheduled in June in the Caribbean and the USA), Rohit and Virat have returned to the final 16. Their inclusion indicates the sign of things to come despite rumours of BCCI planning to name Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain and replacing Kohli with attacking Ishan Kishan for the number 3 slot for the marquee event. Moreover, Ravindra Jadeja’s underwhelming show in South Africa prompted BCCI to name Axar Patel ahead of him. India will play three T20Is against Afghanistan.

Rohit Sharma returns to lead India in Afghanistan T20Is, Kohli included in 16-man squad

<p>Australia returned to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after completing a 3-0 series whitewash against&nbsp;Pakistan. With this, they replaced India at the top, who had attained the number one position following a record-breaking victory at&nbsp;Newlands in Cape Town earlier this week.</p>

<p><strong>Here are the updated WTC rankings after the SCG Test –</strong></p>
<img alt="Latest updated WTC standings after SCG Test" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="96b27ed5-470d-4554-9426-1b67b74f76e1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202024-01-06T140736.633.png" />
<h2>Australia on Top in new WTC standings</h2>

<p>The defending World Test Champions Australia began their new WTC cycle with a bang, winning the home Test series against Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Aussies found immense success the past year by winning their maiden WTC Final against India, drawing the away Ashes 2-2 and lifting their sixth world title in November – all under Pat Cummins’ captaincy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With an eye on their next WTC title, the final of which is to be held in 2025, Australia stood tall against the visiting Pakistan Team. They first beat them convincingly in the curtain-raiser in Perth before narrowly winning the series with a victory&nbsp;at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-v-pak-hope-i-put-a-smile-on-everyones-face-retiring-david-warner-on-his-test-career-677135">AUS v PAK: ‘Hope I put a smile on everyone’s face’ – Retiring David Warner on his Test career</a></strong></p>

<p>While Pakistan had pride to play for in the final Test in Sydney, Australia had just one aim – to finish the series and start 2024 on a high, which they eventually did.</p>

<p>SCG Test was also veteran David Warner’s final match in whites, and he said goodbye in style. Though he got out on 33 in the first innings, Warner capped off his glorious Test career with a fifty in the final innings, helping Australia complete a 130-run chase with eight wickets remaining.</p>

<h3>What’s next for Australia?</h3>

<p>After the win over Pakistan, Australia will host West Indies for two Tests (starting January 17), three ODIs and as many T20Is.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The World Champions will then travel to New Zealand for five T20Is, starting on February 21.</p>

<h3>India continues to impress on the Test front</h3>

<p>Being the only team to have reached the WTC finals on both occasions, India continues to impress everyone with their exploits in this format outside of Asia.</p>

<p>During the recently concluded tour of South Africa, India drew the two-match series 1-1. They lost the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion within three days before winning the New Year’s Test in Cape Town by seven wickets within two days – making it the shortest-ever Test in terms of balls bowled.</p>


Australia returned to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after completing a 3-0 series whitewash against Pakistan. With this, they replaced India at the top, who had attained the number one position following a record-breaking victory at Newlands in Cape Town earlier this week.

Australia returned to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after completing a 3-0 series whitewash against Pakistan. With this, they replaced India at the top, who had attained the number one position following a record-breaking victory at Newlands in Cape Town earlier this week. Here are the updated WTC rankings after the SCG Test – Australia on Top in new WTC standings The defending World Test Champions Australia began their new WTC cycle with a bang, winning the home Test series against Pakistan. The Aussies found immense success the past year by winning their maiden WTC Final against India, drawing the away Ashes 2-2 and lifting their sixth world title in November – all under Pat Cummins’ captaincy. With an eye on their next WTC title, the final of which is to be held in 2025, Australia stood tall against the visiting Pakistan Team. They first beat them convincingly in the curtain-raiser in Perth before narrowly winning the series with a victory at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. ALSO READ: AUS v PAK: ‘Hope I put a smile on everyone’s face’ – Retiring David Warner on his Test career While Pakistan had pride to play for in the final Test in Sydney, Australia had just one aim – to finish the series and start 2024 on a high, which they eventually did. SCG Test was also veteran David Warner’s final match in whites, and he said goodbye in style. Though he got out on 33 in the first innings, Warner capped off his glorious Test career with a fifty in the final innings, helping Australia complete a 130-run chase with eight wickets remaining. What’s next for Australia? After the win over Pakistan, Australia will host West Indies for two Tests (starting January 17), three ODIs and as many T20Is. The World Champions will then travel to New Zealand for five T20Is, starting on February 21. India continues to impress on the Test front Being the only team to have reached the WTC finals on both occasions, India continues to impress everyone with their exploits in this format outside of Asia. During the recently concluded tour of South Africa, India drew the two-match series 1-1. They lost the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion within three days before winning the New Year’s Test in Cape Town by seven wickets within two days – making it the shortest-ever Test in terms of balls bowled.

Australia replace India at top of WTC standings after thrashing Pakistan in home Tests

<p>KL Rahul has had a great run in international cricket since his return from injury during the Asia Cup 2023 edition. He scored a hundred in his first appearance in the continental tournament, eventually won by India in Sri Lanka. He amassed 452 runs in the home ODI World Cup (with a century and two fifties) and scored a majestic 101 in India's just-concluded two-match Test series opener versus South Africa, in Centurion.</p>

<p>Rahul has said that he is open to being flexible in the batting order. Asked if he wants to comeback in the T20I setup, the wicketkeeper-batter stated that he simply wants to keep&nbsp;playing more and more and helping his team win&nbsp;games.</p>

<h2><strong>'Keep me in the XI, wherever you want to play me, I will'</strong></h2>

<p>After India's Cape Town Test win over SA, on Thursday (Jan 4), Rahul told Star Sports, "When they ask me to do any job, I just tell them 'keep me in the XI, wherever you want to play me, I will'. I want to play more and more matches. Unfortunately, because of injuries, I have missed a lot of matches, not just this injury, I have been injured quite a lot."</p>

<p>He further said, "Looking back, I am 31 now, but I have been playing since I was 22 for the country. But, if you look at it, I have not played a lot of matches. When Vijay and Shikhar were playing in Tests, and when Rohit and Shikhar were playing in ODI cricket, I had to wait for a lot of time. And when I got my chances, I got injured. So I have really missed out on a lot of cricket.</p>

<p>"I am in a mind space where I am open to playing anywhere, but I just want to play matches. I just want to do well for my country and go and enjoy my game in the middle," Rahul added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-pak-scg-test-hazlewoods-4-fer-stuns-pakistan-after-aamer-jamal-669-gives-visitors-slender-lead-676867">Aus vs Pak, SCG Test: Hazlewood's 4-for stuns Pakistan after Aamer Jamal 6/69 gives visitors slender lead</a></strong></p>

<p>In T20Is, Rahul has&nbsp;2,265 runs in&nbsp;72 matches at a strike rate of 139.12. He, however, managed only 128 runs in six games during India's&nbsp;T20 WC run in Australia in 2022. His strike rate was an ordinary&nbsp;120.75 and, hence, he has not been given a chance&nbsp;since then (along with seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli).</p>

<p>Given the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selectors are set to announce the Indian&nbsp;squad for the home T20Is versus Afghanistan,&nbsp;over the weekend, it remains to be seen if Rahul returns to the team. It has been widely reported that Rahul is keen to bat in the middle-order across formats. For that, he is even keen to play in the middle-order for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024, with an eye on the 2024 T20 WC in West Indies and USA.</p>

<p>Rahul has enough experience batting in the middle-order. He has excelled in that position&nbsp;in the ODIs and even did well in the recently concluded SA Tests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He pointed out, "First time, I think I got that role in 2017 when we toured Sri Lanka. I got 2 to 3 chances, but I didn't really do well and after that I was out of the team. At No. 4 and No. 5, what I found the most difficult is, that when I go in and I am unsettled, everyone else around me is settled. They know how the pitch is playing and they know the tempo of the game. I have to go and try and adjust to that scenario. That was the hardest thing for me."</p>

<p>"I won't say playing against the new ball is easy. But, at times, the fast bowler will try a few things and you get a loose ball. But at No. 5, you rarely get something like that. So, it has helped me to keep myself a little bit calmer and adjust to the situation of the game. If I think that way, it becomes easy. If I am thinking about my own game, then it becomes difficult," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will be interesting to see if Rahul is included in the T20I setup going forward. Currently, he is in superb form in the longer formats.</p>


KL Rahul has had a great run in international cricket since his return from injury during the Asia Cup 2023 edition. He scored a hundred in his first appearance in the continental tournament, eventually won by India in Sri Lanka.

KL Rahul has had a great run in international cricket since his return from injury during the Asia Cup 2023 edition. He scored a hundred in his first appearance in the continental tournament, eventually won by India in Sri Lanka. He amassed 452 runs in the home ODI World Cup (with a century and two fifties) and scored a majestic 101 in India's just-concluded two-match Test series opener versus South Africa, in Centurion. Rahul has said that he is open to being flexible in the batting order. Asked if he wants to comeback in the T20I setup, the wicketkeeper-batter stated that he simply wants to keep playing more and more and helping his team win games. 'Keep me in the XI, wherever you want to play me, I will' After India's Cape Town Test win over SA, on Thursday (Jan 4), Rahul told Star Sports, "When they ask me to do any job, I just tell them 'keep me in the XI, wherever you want to play me, I will'. I want to play more and more matches. Unfortunately, because of injuries, I have missed a lot of matches, not just this injury, I have been injured quite a lot." He further said, "Looking back, I am 31 now, but I have been playing since I was 22 for the country. But, if you look at it, I have not played a lot of matches. When Vijay and Shikhar were playing in Tests, and when Rohit and Shikhar were playing in ODI cricket, I had to wait for a lot of time. And when I got my chances, I got injured. So I have really missed out on a lot of cricket. "I am in a mind space where I am open to playing anywhere, but I just want to play matches. I just want to do well for my country and go and enjoy my game in the middle," Rahul added. Also read: Aus vs Pak, SCG Test: Hazlewood's 4-for stuns Pakistan after Aamer Jamal 6/69 gives visitors slender lead In T20Is, Rahul has 2,265 runs in 72 matches at a strike rate of 139.12. He, however, managed only 128 runs in six games during India's T20 WC run in Australia in 2022. His strike rate was an ordinary 120.75 and, hence, he has not been given a chance since then (along with seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli). Given the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selectors are set to announce the Indian squad for the home T20Is versus Afghanistan, over the weekend, it remains to be seen if Rahul returns to the team. It has been widely reported that Rahul is keen to bat in the middle-order across formats. For that, he is even keen to play in the middle-order for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024, with an eye on the 2024 T20 WC in West Indies and USA. Rahul has enough experience batting in the middle-order. He has excelled in that position in the ODIs and even did well in the recently concluded SA Tests. He pointed out, "First time, I think I got that role in 2017 when we toured Sri Lanka. I got 2 to 3 chances, but I didn't really do well and after that I was out of the team. At No. 4 and No. 5, what I found the most difficult is, that when I go in and I am unsettled, everyone else around me is settled. They know how the pitch is playing and they know the tempo of the game. I have to go and try and adjust to that scenario. That was the hardest thing for me." "I won't say playing against the new ball is easy. But, at times, the fast bowler will try a few things and you get a loose ball. But at No. 5, you rarely get something like that. So, it has helped me to keep myself a little bit calmer and adjust to the situation of the game. If I think that way, it becomes easy. If I am thinking about my own game, then it becomes difficult," he added. It will be interesting to see if Rahul is included in the T20I setup going forward. Currently, he is in superb form in the longer formats.

'Keep me in playing XI, ready to be flexible': KL Rahul eager to return to T20I ahead of World Cup

<p>Before India takes on South Africa in the second and final Test, in Cape Town, former Indian cricketer and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at Rohit Sharma &amp; Co., claiming they are 'overrated' in Tests and 'highly overrated' in T20Is. Srikkanth feels India are resting on past laurels in Test cricket, achieved during Virat Kohli's captaincy era, and feels&nbsp;the national side should not read much into the ICC Team Rankings, where they are No. 1 across formats.</p>

<p>Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, "In T20 cricket India are highly over-rated. ODI cricket, we are a fantastic team. What happens in ODIs, in the semi-finals, finals, it's just a one-off match. It's a luck factor, a lot depends on luck in these matches. I read Rohit Sharma's statement, for a cricketer, the 50-over World Cup is a huge achievement. We are sometimes underperforming in the knockout matches, into the semi-finals and the final. But we are a gun side in ODI. Regardless of where we play, be it India, Australia or South Africa, we are a gun side."</p>

<h2><strong>'When Virat Kohli was the Test captain...'</strong></h2>

<p>He further stated, "Test cricket, we are over-rated. We have to make sure... I think it was a phase of 2-3 years... when Virat Kohli was the captain of the team, we were outstanding. We dominated in England, we fought hard in South Africa, we won in Australia. We had a good phase for 2-4 years. Yes, we were dominating in England, in Australia."</p>

<p>Srikkanth, however, feels that since then India have been resting on past laurels in the purest format. After Kohli quit&nbsp;Test captaincy, India lost the one-off Test versus England in July 2022, lost the WTC final in June 2023 and failed to win the first Test of the ongoing two-match&nbsp;series versus South Africa in Centurion, last month.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tests-needs-to-be-protected-india-captain-rohit-sharma-ahead-of-cape-town-test-vs-sa-675934">Test cricket is the ultimate challenge: India captain Rohit Sharma ahead of Cape Town Test vs SA</a></strong></p>

<p>The 1983 World Cup-winner urged, "We have to forget ICC ranking. We are always 1-2, 1-2. It's a combination of having over-rated cricketers and people who have not performed up to their potential. Or there are players who have not enough chances like Kuldeeep (Yadav)."</p>

<p>"If you want to be the best team, you should be capable of being the giants in their home grounds. That is what we did when Rishabh Pant was firing. But you can keep on talking that we scored in Australia, we scored in England. You can sing the same song, you won't move forward if you rest on past laurels. You have to just look at how you have performed in the last 2 years, last 18 months," concluded Srikkanth.</p>

<p>India ended 2023 as the No. 1 ranked side across formats. However, they failed to win the WTC final and ended as runners-up even in the home ODI World Cup, which ended on Nov 19 last year.</p>

<p>India's last ICC triumph came in 2013 Champions Trophy, under MS Dhoni. Since then, they have competed very well in all major events but failed to grab hold of the silverware.</p>

<p>At present, Rohit &amp; Co. are gearing up for the two-match Test series finale versus hosts South Africa, at Newlands, Cape Town, which starts on Jan 3 (Wednesday). The visitors lost the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, in Centurion.</p>


Before India takes on South Africa in the second and final Test, in Cape Town, former Indian cricketer and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at Rohit Sharma & Co.

Before India takes on South Africa in the second and final Test, in Cape Town, former Indian cricketer and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at Rohit Sharma & Co., claiming they are 'overrated' in Tests and 'highly overrated' in T20Is. Srikkanth feels India are resting on past laurels in Test cricket, achieved during Virat Kohli's captaincy era, and feels the national side should not read much into the ICC Team Rankings, where they are No. 1 across formats. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, "In T20 cricket India are highly over-rated. ODI cricket, we are a fantastic team. What happens in ODIs, in the semi-finals, finals, it's just a one-off match. It's a luck factor, a lot depends on luck in these matches. I read Rohit Sharma's statement, for a cricketer, the 50-over World Cup is a huge achievement. We are sometimes underperforming in the knockout matches, into the semi-finals and the final. But we are a gun side in ODI. Regardless of where we play, be it India, Australia or South Africa, we are a gun side." 'When Virat Kohli was the Test captain...' He further stated, "Test cricket, we are over-rated. We have to make sure... I think it was a phase of 2-3 years... when Virat Kohli was the captain of the team, we were outstanding. We dominated in England, we fought hard in South Africa, we won in Australia. We had a good phase for 2-4 years. Yes, we were dominating in England, in Australia." Srikkanth, however, feels that since then India have been resting on past laurels in the purest format. After Kohli quit Test captaincy, India lost the one-off Test versus England in July 2022, lost the WTC final in June 2023 and failed to win the first Test of the ongoing two-match series versus South Africa in Centurion, last month. Also read: Test cricket is the ultimate challenge: India captain Rohit Sharma ahead of Cape Town Test vs SA The 1983 World Cup-winner urged, "We have to forget ICC ranking. We are always 1-2, 1-2. It's a combination of having over-rated cricketers and people who have not performed up to their potential. Or there are players who have not enough chances like Kuldeeep (Yadav)." "If you want to be the best team, you should be capable of being the giants in their home grounds. That is what we did when Rishabh Pant was firing. But you can keep on talking that we scored in Australia, we scored in England. You can sing the same song, you won't move forward if you rest on past laurels. You have to just look at how you have performed in the last 2 years, last 18 months," concluded Srikkanth. India ended 2023 as the No. 1 ranked side across formats. However, they failed to win the WTC final and ended as runners-up even in the home ODI World Cup, which ended on Nov 19 last year. India's last ICC triumph came in 2013 Champions Trophy, under MS Dhoni. Since then, they have competed very well in all major events but failed to grab hold of the silverware. At present, Rohit & Co. are gearing up for the two-match Test series finale versus hosts South Africa, at Newlands, Cape Town, which starts on Jan 3 (Wednesday). The visitors lost the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, in Centurion.

‘India overrated in Tests and highly overrated in T20Is’: Kris Srikkanth lashes out at Rohit Sharma & Co.

<p>Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has lauded KL Rahul for his stellar run in ODIs in 2023. During an interactive session on X, formerly Twitter, Prasad was asked by a fan to comment on&nbsp;Rahul and the former speedster had words of praise for the versatile Indian batter. Rahul ended 2023 with a bang, scoring a majestic 101 during India's big defeat to South Africa in the two-match Test series opener in Centurion.</p>

<p>Rahul had a terrible start to the&nbsp;just-concluded 2023 and got injured during the IPL season, in May. He, however, came back into the Indian setup during the Asia Cup and ended the year with 1,203 runs across formats, including&nbsp;three hundreds and seven fifties. In ODIs, in particular, he was at his best with&nbsp;1,060 runs comprising two centuries (one in Asia Cup and the other in ODI WC). He even impressed in the mega event, in India, with his wicketkeeping skills.</p>

<p>When being asked about Rahul, Prasad replied to a fan and wrote on X, "He has had a great year in one day cricket and in his comeback test in centurion played a wonderful knock in the first innings. Happy for him. Consistency in Test Cricket and realising his true potential is what he needs to aspire for imho."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He has had a great year in one day cricket and in his comeback test in centurion played a wonderful knock in the first innings. Happy for him. Consistency in Test Cricket and realising his true potential is what he needs to aspire for imho. <a href="https://t.co/gjxLgLr1eU">https://t.co/gjxLgLr1eU</a></p>
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/venkateshprasad/status/1741347832219779418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/david-warner-retires-from-odis-ahead-of-farewell-test-keeps-possibility-of-playing-ct-2025-alive-675410">David Warner retires from ODIs ahead of farewell Test, keeps alive possibility of playing CT 2025</a></strong></p>

<p>After ODIs, Rahul has taken up the wicketkeeping duties in the longer format as well during India's Test series versus South Africa, in the African nation. Rahul-starrer India is currently gearing up for the second and final Test versus the Dean Elgar-led Proteas, which gets underway on Jan 3 in Newlands, Cape Town.</p>


Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has lauded KL Rahul for his stellar run in ODIs in 2023. During an interactive session on X, formerly Twitter, Prasad was asked by a fan to comment on Rahul and the former speedster had words of praise for the versatile Indian batter.

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has lauded KL Rahul for his stellar run in ODIs in 2023. During an interactive session on X, formerly Twitter, Prasad was asked by a fan to comment on Rahul and the former speedster had words of praise for the versatile Indian batter. Rahul ended 2023 with a bang, scoring a majestic 101 during India's big defeat to South Africa in the two-match Test series opener in Centurion. Rahul had a terrible start to the just-concluded 2023 and got injured during the IPL season, in May. He, however, came back into the Indian setup during the Asia Cup and ended the year with 1,203 runs across formats, including three hundreds and seven fifties. In ODIs, in particular, he was at his best with 1,060 runs comprising two centuries (one in Asia Cup and the other in ODI WC). He even impressed in the mega event, in India, with his wicketkeeping skills. When being asked about Rahul, Prasad replied to a fan and wrote on X, "He has had a great year in one day cricket and in his comeback test in centurion played a wonderful knock in the first innings. Happy for him. Consistency in Test Cricket and realising his true potential is what he needs to aspire for imho." He has had a great year in one day cricket and in his comeback test in centurion played a wonderful knock in the first innings. Happy for him. Consistency in Test Cricket and realising his true potential is what he needs to aspire for imho. https://t.co/gjxLgLr1eU — Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 31, 2023 × Also read: David Warner retires from ODIs ahead of farewell Test, keeps alive possibility of playing CT 2025 After ODIs, Rahul has taken up the wicketkeeping duties in the longer format as well during India's Test series versus South Africa, in the African nation. Rahul-starrer India is currently gearing up for the second and final Test versus the Dean Elgar-led Proteas, which gets underway on Jan 3 in Newlands, Cape Town.

KL Rahul had great run in 2023 ODIs: Ex-India pacer Venkatesh Prasad wants batter to 'realise true potential'

<p>Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has lauded Indian cricket for a successful run in the just-concluded 2023. Talking about the Indian cricket's achievements, the senior men's team won the Asia Cup and ended as runners-up in the home ODI World Cup and WTC final whereas the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's team clinched gold in Asian Games and ended the year with a Test win each over England and Australia, in Mumbai, in December.</p>

<p>In addition,&nbsp;the Shafali Varma-led Indian team won the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa. Thus, Gavaskar heaped praise on Indian cricket's magnificent run but rued Rohit Sharma &amp; Co.'s ODI WC final loss to Australia in Ahmedabad on Nov 19.</p>

<p>Speaking on Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues', Gavaskar spoke highly of the women's team and said, "I think it's been a fantastic year for both the men's and the women's team, particularly the way the women's team has performed. Those two Test wins towards the year-end, one against England and one against Australia, both teams against whom the Indian women's team have had tough times earlier on."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kl-rahul-had-a-great-2023-in-odis-ex-india-pacer-venkatesh-prasad-wants-batter-to-realise-true-potential-675478">KL Rahul had great run in 2023 ODIs: Ex-India pacer Venkatesh Prasad wants batter to 'realise true potential'</a></strong></p>

<p>He shifted his focus to the ODI WC at home as well. He added, "That's been the most exciting aspect of cricket apart from, of course, what we saw in the World Cup. The 10 straight wins, and, then, just that one bad day, which sadly happened to be the finals of the World Cup. So really some exciting times in 2023."</p>

<p>Harman-led Indian eves won their first Test over Australia&nbsp;since their first meeting back in 1977. Apart from this, the just-concluded year also saw the advent of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking about the senior men's team, they dominated at home, won their eighth Asia Cup title in September but lost two big finals to Australia, i.e. during the WTC 2021-23 cycle's finale&nbsp;and ODI WC.</p>


Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has lauded Indian cricket for a successful run in the just-concluded 2023. Talking about the Indian cricket's achievements, the senior men's team won the Asia Cup and ended as runners-up in the home ODI World Cup and WTC final whereas the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's team clinched gold in Asian Games and ended the year with a Test win each over England and Australia, in Mumbai, in December.

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has lauded Indian cricket for a successful run in the just-concluded 2023. Talking about the Indian cricket's achievements, the senior men's team won the Asia Cup and ended as runners-up in the home ODI World Cup and WTC final whereas the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's team clinched gold in Asian Games and ended the year with a Test win each over England and Australia, in Mumbai, in December. In addition, the Shafali Varma-led Indian team won the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa. Thus, Gavaskar heaped praise on Indian cricket's magnificent run but rued Rohit Sharma & Co.'s ODI WC final loss to Australia in Ahmedabad on Nov 19. Speaking on Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues', Gavaskar spoke highly of the women's team and said, "I think it's been a fantastic year for both the men's and the women's team, particularly the way the women's team has performed. Those two Test wins towards the year-end, one against England and one against Australia, both teams against whom the Indian women's team have had tough times earlier on." Also read: KL Rahul had great run in 2023 ODIs: Ex-India pacer Venkatesh Prasad wants batter to 'realise true potential' He shifted his focus to the ODI WC at home as well. He added, "That's been the most exciting aspect of cricket apart from, of course, what we saw in the World Cup. The 10 straight wins, and, then, just that one bad day, which sadly happened to be the finals of the World Cup. So really some exciting times in 2023." Harman-led Indian eves won their first Test over Australia since their first meeting back in 1977. Apart from this, the just-concluded year also saw the advent of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India. Talking about the senior men's team, they dominated at home, won their eighth Asia Cup title in September but lost two big finals to Australia, i.e. during the WTC 2021-23 cycle's finale and ODI WC.

Sunil Gavaskar LAUDS Indian cricket for successful 2023 barring ‘just one bad day’ in ODI World Cup final

<p>Star India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket in 2024, more than a year after suffering a horrific road accident around&nbsp;New Year’s Eve in 2022. Pant underwent several surgeries and countless therapies to get over an almost life-taking accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway, with his car crashing into roadside dividers and catching fire later on.</p>

<p>Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared his thoughts on Pant’s return, saying a box-office cricketer like him will hog all the limelight similarly upon his much-awaited comeback on the cricket field.</p>

<p>Since undergoing the knife on both knees, Pant continues to recover at home and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. With his IPL team, Delhi Capitals, announcing earlier that Pant will return to lead the side in the 17th season starting on March 22, all eyeballs will be on the left-handed batter who emerged as one of the modern-day greats in his category.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">365 Days since that fateful night.<br />
<br />
Every day since then has been nothing but full of gratitude, belief, self-care, hardwork and a never-give-up approach towards making a roaring comeback in the game that runs thick through his veins 🫰🏻<br />
<br />
Here's to seeing the unorthodox,… <a href="https://t.co/y5TD35RCrS">pic.twitter.com/y5TD35RCrS</a></p>
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals/status/1741020833353724364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/boost-for-india-ahead-of-new-years-test-as-shardul-thakur-declared-fit-amid-injury-scare-675253">Boost for India ahead of New Year’s Test as Shardul Thakur declared fit amid injury scare</a></strong></p>

<p>"That was such a serious accident. The whole world held its breath, and it has been a slow recovery," Hussain was quoted as saying by the ICC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You follow on social media, on my phone and the initial first walking steps to then scenes in the gym and then scenes of him playing a bit of cricket, scenes of him with Ricky (Ponting).</p>

<p>Nasser added during the home Ashes, he saw Ponting (DC’s head coach) texting Pant, asking about his well-being.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I travelled with Ricky in the summer in the Ashes, and Ricky was texting him 'how's the progress coming along', and he is a box office cricketer,” Hussain added.</p>

<h2>Rahul did well in Pant’s absence</h2>

<p>Rishabh Pant’s injury saw him missing major cricketing events in 2023, with the home Australia Tests, IPL, the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though India tried a few options in his absence, with most of them also clicking on most days, KL Rahul filling that void was a blessing for the Indian Team.</p>

<p>"India have done well without him (Pant) as KL has come in and been brilliant in all formats," Hussain noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They'll continue to be brilliant. They're lucky to have both of them, but Rishabh Pant, before his injury, was box office, and hopefully, after his injury, will be box office as well,” KL added.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, KL Rahul has also taken up wicketkeeping duties in South Africa, with KS Bharat in the squad as a backup option.&nbsp;</p>


Star India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket in 2024, more than a year after suffering a horrific road accident around New Year’s Eve in 2022.

Star India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket in 2024, more than a year after suffering a horrific road accident around New Year’s Eve in 2022. Pant underwent several surgeries and countless therapies to get over an almost life-taking accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway, with his car crashing into roadside dividers and catching fire later on. Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared his thoughts on Pant’s return, saying a box-office cricketer like him will hog all the limelight similarly upon his much-awaited comeback on the cricket field. Since undergoing the knife on both knees, Pant continues to recover at home and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. With his IPL team, Delhi Capitals, announcing earlier that Pant will return to lead the side in the 17th season starting on March 22, all eyeballs will be on the left-handed batter who emerged as one of the modern-day greats in his category. 365 Days since that fateful night. Every day since then has been nothing but full of gratitude, belief, self-care, hardwork and a never-give-up approach towards making a roaring comeback in the game that runs thick through his veins 🫰🏻 Here's to seeing the unorthodox,… pic.twitter.com/y5TD35RCrS — Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 30, 2023 × ALSO READ: Boost for India ahead of New Year’s Test as Shardul Thakur declared fit amid injury scare "That was such a serious accident. The whole world held its breath, and it has been a slow recovery," Hussain was quoted as saying by the ICC. "You follow on social media, on my phone and the initial first walking steps to then scenes in the gym and then scenes of him playing a bit of cricket, scenes of him with Ricky (Ponting). Nasser added during the home Ashes, he saw Ponting (DC’s head coach) texting Pant, asking about his well-being. "I travelled with Ricky in the summer in the Ashes, and Ricky was texting him 'how's the progress coming along', and he is a box office cricketer,” Hussain added. Rahul did well in Pant’s absence Rishabh Pant’s injury saw him missing major cricketing events in 2023, with the home Australia Tests, IPL, the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup. Though India tried a few options in his absence, with most of them also clicking on most days, KL Rahul filling that void was a blessing for the Indian Team. "India have done well without him (Pant) as KL has come in and been brilliant in all formats," Hussain noted. "They'll continue to be brilliant. They're lucky to have both of them, but Rishabh Pant, before his injury, was box office, and hopefully, after his injury, will be box office as well,” KL added. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has also taken up wicketkeeping duties in South Africa, with KS Bharat in the squad as a backup option.

Nasser Hussain predicts massive 2024 for returning 'box-office' cricketer Rishabh Pant

<p>India receives a massive boost ahead of the New Year’s Test against South Africa in Cape Town as all-rounder Shardul Thakur is declared fit and available for selection following an injury scare during an optional training session. Thakur got hit on his left shoulder while facing throwdowns following the end of the Boxing Day Test, which ended within three days, with India losing by an innings and 32 runs.</p>

<p>Per the sources close to the information, Thakur is doing Okay, as the team management opted against recommending him undergo any treatment or scans. Despite suffering the blow during an optional session on Saturday, Thakur continued batting.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, since that was an optional session, only a handful of Indian players outside of Thakur, including captain Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna and KS Bharat, took guard, with members of support staff accompanying them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/playing-a-bit-too-aggressively-sunil-gavsakar-highlights-flaw-in-shubman-gills-approach-675232">'Playing a bit too aggressively': Sunil Gavsakar highlights flaw in Shubman Gill's approach</a></strong></p>

<p>The Indian Team will fly from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Sunday for the second Test scheduled to start on January 3. Although several changes for the must-win game for India are expected, there is no word on Bharat replacing KL Rahul as a keeper in the side.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The India batter smashed his eighth Test ton in the first innings in Centurion and kept wickets on a tricky track. Despite this new challenge of keeping wickets in Tests, KL fared well and will retain his place as the keeper-batter for the next game.</p>

<h2>Jadeja declared fit for New Year’s Test</h2>

<p>On the morning of day one of the first Test in Centurion, Jadeja pulled up his back and got ruled out, with veteran Ravi Ashwin playing instead. The lanky spinner failed to inspire with both bat and ball, picking just one wicket.</p>

<p>With Jadeja now recovered from the ‘upper back spasm’, the all-rounder returned in contention for a place in the XI for the New Year’s Test. If he gets picked, Ashwin is most likely to sit out.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, following Prasidh Krishna’s below-par Test debut show, the team management is said to be contemplating playing Avesh Khan (roped in as Shami’s replacement) ahead of him, with the team eyeing a win to level-series and share honours.</p>


India receives a massive boost ahead of the New Year’s Test against South Africa in Cape Town as all-rounder Shardul Thakur is declared fit and available for selection following an injury scare during an optional training session.

India receives a massive boost ahead of the New Year’s Test against South Africa in Cape Town as all-rounder Shardul Thakur is declared fit and available for selection following an injury scare during an optional training session. Thakur got hit on his left shoulder while facing throwdowns following the end of the Boxing Day Test, which ended within three days, with India losing by an innings and 32 runs. Per the sources close to the information, Thakur is doing Okay, as the team management opted against recommending him undergo any treatment or scans. Despite suffering the blow during an optional session on Saturday, Thakur continued batting. Meanwhile, since that was an optional session, only a handful of Indian players outside of Thakur, including captain Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna and KS Bharat, took guard, with members of support staff accompanying them. ALSO READ: 'Playing a bit too aggressively': Sunil Gavsakar highlights flaw in Shubman Gill's approach The Indian Team will fly from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Sunday for the second Test scheduled to start on January 3. Although several changes for the must-win game for India are expected, there is no word on Bharat replacing KL Rahul as a keeper in the side. The India batter smashed his eighth Test ton in the first innings in Centurion and kept wickets on a tricky track. Despite this new challenge of keeping wickets in Tests, KL fared well and will retain his place as the keeper-batter for the next game. Jadeja declared fit for New Year’s Test On the morning of day one of the first Test in Centurion, Jadeja pulled up his back and got ruled out, with veteran Ravi Ashwin playing instead. The lanky spinner failed to inspire with both bat and ball, picking just one wicket. With Jadeja now recovered from the ‘upper back spasm’, the all-rounder returned in contention for a place in the XI for the New Year’s Test. If he gets picked, Ashwin is most likely to sit out. Meanwhile, following Prasidh Krishna’s below-par Test debut show, the team management is said to be contemplating playing Avesh Khan (roped in as Shami’s replacement) ahead of him, with the team eyeing a win to level-series and share honours.

Boost for India ahead of New Year’s Test as Shardul Thakur declared fit amid injury scare

<p>Former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh took a sly dig at the Indian Cricket Team by labelling them as the ‘most under-achieving sports team in the world’ following their latest loss to South Africa in the Boxing Day Test.</p>

<p>Speaking to Fox Cricket after India lost the first of the two Tests inside three days (by an innings and 32 runs) in Centurion, Vaughan began by asking Waugh if, with all the resources and talent at their disposal, this Indian Team failed to live up to the hype.</p>

<p>“Do you think, in terms of cricket, India are one of the most underachieving sports teams in the world?” Vaughan asks Waugh, to which the former Aussie opener replied, “They haven’t won much in recent times. I think they are [an underachieving side]. They don’t win anything. When was the last time they won something? With all the talent they have, all the skill-set.</p>

<p>Highlighting India’s only biggest achievement in the past decade being their twin Test series win over Australia in Australia, Waugh said he respects India for doing so but cannot fathom that they failed to win any ICC tournament despite reaching the knockout stages in most editions.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ex-nepal-captain-sandeep-lamichhane-convicted-of-rape-jail-term-to-be-determined-soon-674780">Ex-Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane convicted of rape, jail term to be determined soon</a></strong></p>

<p>“They’ve won in Australia twice [Test series in 2018/19 and 2020/21]. Magnificent, but the last few World Cups, been nowhere, in the last few T20 World Cups, been nowhere,” Waugh said. “They’re a good team, have got plenty of talent, but with all the talent they have and the resource they have, I just don’t think they win,” he added.</p>

<h2>India’s timeline since last ICC title</h2>

<p>Having won their last ICC trophy (the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy) a decade ago under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Men in Blue failed to put their hands on any of the four ICC trophies on offer since.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite two of the sharpest minds (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) leading the team across formats since Dhoni left the captaincy, India has come close to winning but tumbled under pressure every time.</p>

<p>From the 2014 T20 World Cup final to the 2015 CWC semis against Australia, from the 2016 T20 World semi-final to the heartbreaking 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan, India lost on all occasions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Men in Blue also lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup (in the semis) and failed to reach the finals in the next two editions of the T20 World Cup (in 2021 and 2022).&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, their worst loss came at the hands of Australia in the 2023 World Cup final (at home in Ahmedabad), when despite entering the summit clash with ten consecutive wins and unparallel momentum on their side, the home side lost with six wickets in hand.</p>

<p>In the meantime, India also lost the two World Test Championship finals (to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023).&nbsp;</p>


Former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh took a sly dig at the Indian Cricket Team by labelling them as the ‘most under-achieving sports team in the world’ following their latest loss to South Africa in the Boxing Day Test.

Former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh took a sly dig at the Indian Cricket Team by labelling them as the ‘most under-achieving sports team in the world’ following their latest loss to South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. Speaking to Fox Cricket after India lost the first of the two Tests inside three days (by an innings and 32 runs) in Centurion, Vaughan began by asking Waugh if, with all the resources and talent at their disposal, this Indian Team failed to live up to the hype. “Do you think, in terms of cricket, India are one of the most underachieving sports teams in the world?” Vaughan asks Waugh, to which the former Aussie opener replied, “They haven’t won much in recent times. I think they are [an underachieving side]. They don’t win anything. When was the last time they won something? With all the talent they have, all the skill-set. Highlighting India’s only biggest achievement in the past decade being their twin Test series win over Australia in Australia, Waugh said he respects India for doing so but cannot fathom that they failed to win any ICC tournament despite reaching the knockout stages in most editions. ALSO READ: Ex-Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane convicted of rape, jail term to be determined soon “They’ve won in Australia twice [Test series in 2018/19 and 2020/21]. Magnificent, but the last few World Cups, been nowhere, in the last few T20 World Cups, been nowhere,” Waugh said. “They’re a good team, have got plenty of talent, but with all the talent they have and the resource they have, I just don’t think they win,” he added. India’s timeline since last ICC title Having won their last ICC trophy (the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy) a decade ago under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Men in Blue failed to put their hands on any of the four ICC trophies on offer since. Despite two of the sharpest minds (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) leading the team across formats since Dhoni left the captaincy, India has come close to winning but tumbled under pressure every time. From the 2014 T20 World Cup final to the 2015 CWC semis against Australia, from the 2016 T20 World semi-final to the heartbreaking 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan, India lost on all occasions. The Men in Blue also lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup (in the semis) and failed to reach the finals in the next two editions of the T20 World Cup (in 2021 and 2022). However, their worst loss came at the hands of Australia in the 2023 World Cup final (at home in Ahmedabad), when despite entering the summit clash with ten consecutive wins and unparallel momentum on their side, the home side lost with six wickets in hand. In the meantime, India also lost the two World Test Championship finals (to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023).

‘They don’t win anything’ - Vaughan, Mark Waugh take a dig at ‘underachieving’ Indian Team

<p>ICC slapped&nbsp;the Indian Cricket Team with a two-point deduction and 10% of the match fee for slow over-rate during the recently concluded Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. Rohit Sharma-led Indian Team suffered an embarrassing inning and a 32-run defeat at the SuperSport Park, the game that ended inside three days.</p>

<p>Per the ICC statement, India captain Rohit pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the punishment.</p>

<p>"India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing," stated ICC in their statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/bumrah-needed-support-but-didnt-get-it-says-india-skipper-rohit-sharma-after-loss-in-first-test-vs-sa-674570">'Bumrah needed support but didn't get it,' says India skipper Rohit Sharma after loss in first Test vs SA</a></strong></p>

<p>Following these sanctions, India’s stance on the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle altered, with them slipping to the sixth position (just behind Australia) with a PCT of 38.39 (dropped from 44.44). They were earlier fifth on the WTC points table with 16 points. India is scheduled to play one more Test (New Year’s Test in Cape Town starting January 3).</p>

<h2>Shami’s replacement named</h2>

<p>After the end of the first Test, the BCCI, on Friday, announced seamer Avesh Khan as Mohammed Shami’s replacement for the second game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The uncapped seamer was part of the India-A squad and is currently playing the second four-day warm-up game in Benoni, having picked a five-for on day three. Avesh was part of the three-match ODI series, which ended 1-1.</p>

<p>Before the warm-up match, Avesh had played 38 first-class games, picking 149 wickets at an impressive average of 22.65. The India bowler was Madhya Pradesh’s highest wicket-taker (38 scalps) in the Ranji Trophy season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Shami missed the South Africa series with an ankle injury (he sustained during the 2023 World Cup). The seasoned campaigner was India’s best bet with the ball in hand, picking 24 wickets from just seven games, including his best ODI figures of seven for 57 – the most by any bowler in a World Cup semi-final.&nbsp;</p>


ICC slapped the Indian Cricket Team with a two-point deduction and 10% of the match fee for slow over-rate during the recently concluded Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion.

ICC slapped the Indian Cricket Team with a two-point deduction and 10% of the match fee for slow over-rate during the recently concluded Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. Rohit Sharma-led Indian Team suffered an embarrassing inning and a 32-run defeat at the SuperSport Park, the game that ended inside three days. Per the ICC statement, India captain Rohit pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the punishment. "India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing," stated ICC in their statement. ALSO READ: 'Bumrah needed support but didn't get it,' says India skipper Rohit Sharma after loss in first Test vs SA Following these sanctions, India’s stance on the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle altered, with them slipping to the sixth position (just behind Australia) with a PCT of 38.39 (dropped from 44.44). They were earlier fifth on the WTC points table with 16 points. India is scheduled to play one more Test (New Year’s Test in Cape Town starting January 3). Shami’s replacement named After the end of the first Test, the BCCI, on Friday, announced seamer Avesh Khan as Mohammed Shami’s replacement for the second game. The uncapped seamer was part of the India-A squad and is currently playing the second four-day warm-up game in Benoni, having picked a five-for on day three. Avesh was part of the three-match ODI series, which ended 1-1. Before the warm-up match, Avesh had played 38 first-class games, picking 149 wickets at an impressive average of 22.65. The India bowler was Madhya Pradesh’s highest wicket-taker (38 scalps) in the Ranji Trophy season. Meanwhile, Shami missed the South Africa series with an ankle injury (he sustained during the 2023 World Cup). The seasoned campaigner was India’s best bet with the ball in hand, picking 24 wickets from just seven games, including his best ODI figures of seven for 57 – the most by any bowler in a World Cup semi-final.

ICC slaps India with point-deduction for slow over-rate in Centurion Test; Shami’s replacement named

<p>With the world showering praise&nbsp;on KL Rahul for notching up perhaps his greatest hundred during the ongoing Boxing Day Test (against South Africa), the India batter decided not to get carried away, knowing how dark it could turn out to be if he fails in the next innings.</p>

<p>Upon returning to international cricket following a lengthy layoff (leg injury) since IPL this year, KL endured much hate and abuse online and addressed the issue after the second day's play in Centurion.</p>

<p>Rahul said international cricket comes with different challenges, and dealing with online abuse is one of them. The India keeper-batter said social media is a pressure and that it affects everyone, even those who claim to be thick-skinned than others.</p>

<p>"It is difficult obviously," Rahul said on how he handles online abuse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You have your personality, personality traits, characteristics. When you play international cricket, they all get challenged. As a person, as a cricketer, as an individual, you are challenged each day, each moment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-ind-1st-test-dean-elgar-ton-headlines-day-2-in-centurion-as-hosts-take-vital-lead-674114">SA vs IND, 1st Test: Dean Elgar ton headlines Day 2 in Centurion as hosts take vital lead</a></strong></p>

<p>“Social media is a pressure. Today, I have scored a hundred, so people are singing praises. Three or four months ago, everybody was abusing me. It's part of the game, but I can't say it doesn't affect you; it does. The sooner you realise that staying away from it is good for your game and your mindset, the better it is,” he added.</p>

<h2>Rahul on how he&nbsp;got&nbsp;over it</h2>

<p>Being away from the game for a few months, KL not only had to deal with the pressure of attaining full fitness in time for the 2023 World Cup but also had to work on ways to keep himself calmer and avoid getting affected by social media abuse.</p>

<p>"But like anything else in cricket, like anything else in life, there's, there are ways to work on it. There are people who can help you if your mind is open. So, that's what I did when I was out of the game. I worked on myself and then worked on remaining calmer and taking care of my head. And what happens inside as well,” the India batter added.</p>

<h3>South Africa take narrow lead in Centurion</h3>

<p>While KL Rahul starred for India in the first innings, hitting 101, South Africa opener Dean Elgar, playing his farewell series, is unbeaten on 140, with the home team leading by 11 runs and five wickets remaining.</p>


With the world showering praise on KL Rahul for notching up perhaps his greatest hundred during the ongoing Boxing Day Test (against South Africa), the India batter decided not to get carried away, knowing how dark it could turn out to be if he fails in the next innings.

With the world showering praise on KL Rahul for notching up perhaps his greatest hundred during the ongoing Boxing Day Test (against South Africa), the India batter decided not to get carried away, knowing how dark it could turn out to be if he fails in the next innings. Upon returning to international cricket following a lengthy layoff (leg injury) since IPL this year, KL endured much hate and abuse online and addressed the issue after the second day's play in Centurion. Rahul said international cricket comes with different challenges, and dealing with online abuse is one of them. The India keeper-batter said social media is a pressure and that it affects everyone, even those who claim to be thick-skinned than others. "It is difficult obviously," Rahul said on how he handles online abuse. "You have your personality, personality traits, characteristics. When you play international cricket, they all get challenged. As a person, as a cricketer, as an individual, you are challenged each day, each moment. ALSO READ: SA vs IND, 1st Test: Dean Elgar ton headlines Day 2 in Centurion as hosts take vital lead “Social media is a pressure. Today, I have scored a hundred, so people are singing praises. Three or four months ago, everybody was abusing me. It's part of the game, but I can't say it doesn't affect you; it does. The sooner you realise that staying away from it is good for your game and your mindset, the better it is,” he added. Rahul on how he got over it Being away from the game for a few months, KL not only had to deal with the pressure of attaining full fitness in time for the 2023 World Cup but also had to work on ways to keep himself calmer and avoid getting affected by social media abuse. "But like anything else in cricket, like anything else in life, there's, there are ways to work on it. There are people who can help you if your mind is open. So, that's what I did when I was out of the game. I worked on myself and then worked on remaining calmer and taking care of my head. And what happens inside as well,” the India batter added. South Africa take narrow lead in Centurion While KL Rahul starred for India in the first innings, hitting 101, South Africa opener Dean Elgar, playing his farewell series, is unbeaten on 140, with the home team leading by 11 runs and five wickets remaining.

SA v IND: Social media is a pressure, if affects you: KL Rahul on dealing with online abuse

<p>Veteran India batter Shikhar Dhawan posted an emotional note on his son Zoravar’s birthday on his Instagram handle, revealing he hasn’t seen him in a long time as he was blocked from contacting his son on every platform for over a year. Dhawan posted a screenshot of him video calling his son some time ago and wrote that he misses him and is proud of him.</p>

<p>Following an unsuccessful marriage, Dhawan separated from his now estranged wife, Aesha Mukherji, with the court granting them a divorce in October.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the grounds for the divorce were cited as ‘cruelty’ inflicted on Dhawan by Aesha, Judge Harish Kumar accepted Dhawan’s allegations of his wife’s attempts to keep their son away from him and pressurising him into financial decisions.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-v-ind-its-a-different-rahul-shastri-gavaskar-laud-india-batter-after-his-day-1-heroics-673911">SA v IND: 'It's a different Rahul' - Shastri, Gavaskar laud India batter after his day 1 heroics</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the court’s order, as a parent, Dhawan was granted mandatory visiting rights to meet his son in India and Australia, where he resides with Aesha. The court also ordered Aesha to facilitate bringing Zoravar to India for visiting purposes, especially during school holidays. During that visit, Zoravar would be spending time (overnight) with his father, Shikhar and his family.</p>

<p>However, despite these orders from the court, Shikhar Dhawan revealed he faced trouble maintaining contact with his son.</p>

<h2>Here is what Dhawan wrote on his Instagram post –</h2>

<p>"It's been a year since I saw you in person, and now, for almost three months, I've been blocked from everywhere so Posting the same picture to wish you, my boy, a very Happy Birthday. Even if I can’t connect with you directly, I connect with you through Telepathy. I am so proud of you, and I know you’re doing great and growing up nicely," Dhawan wrote.</p>

<p>"Papa always misses you and loves you. He's always positive, waiting with a smile for the time when we will meet again by the Grace of God. Be naughty but not destructive, be a giver, be humble, compassionate, patient, and strong. Despite not seeing you, I write you messages almost every day, asking about your well-being and daily life, sharing what I’m doing and what’s new in my life. Love you loads Zora,” he concluded.</p>

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<p>Meanwhile, Dhawan’s petition claimed that Aesha’s commitments to her previous marriage and daughters residing in Australia caused issues. He also alleged that Aesha pressured him into investing heavily in Australian properties, raising concerns over his financial situation. Aesha did not defend herself in court.</p>

<p>Besides, though the court granted them divorce, it denied Dhawan the right to have his son’s permanent custody.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhawan could only meet his son when he used to come to India or when Dhawan travelled Down Under.</p>


Veteran India batter Shikhar Dhawan posted an emotional note on his son Zoravar’s birthday on his Instagram handle, revealing he hasn’t seen him in a long time as he was blocked from contacting his son on every platform for over a year.

Veteran India batter Shikhar Dhawan posted an emotional note on his son Zoravar’s birthday on his Instagram handle, revealing he hasn’t seen him in a long time as he was blocked from contacting his son on every platform for over a year. Dhawan posted a screenshot of him video calling his son some time ago and wrote that he misses him and is proud of him. Following an unsuccessful marriage, Dhawan separated from his now estranged wife, Aesha Mukherji, with the court granting them a divorce in October. Although the grounds for the divorce were cited as ‘cruelty’ inflicted on Dhawan by Aesha, Judge Harish Kumar accepted Dhawan’s allegations of his wife’s attempts to keep their son away from him and pressurising him into financial decisions. ALSO READ: SA v IND: 'It's a different Rahul' - Shastri, Gavaskar laud India batter after his day 1 heroics As per the court’s order, as a parent, Dhawan was granted mandatory visiting rights to meet his son in India and Australia, where he resides with Aesha. The court also ordered Aesha to facilitate bringing Zoravar to India for visiting purposes, especially during school holidays. During that visit, Zoravar would be spending time (overnight) with his father, Shikhar and his family. However, despite these orders from the court, Shikhar Dhawan revealed he faced trouble maintaining contact with his son. Here is what Dhawan wrote on his Instagram post – "It's been a year since I saw you in person, and now, for almost three months, I've been blocked from everywhere so Posting the same picture to wish you, my boy, a very Happy Birthday. Even if I can’t connect with you directly, I connect with you through Telepathy. I am so proud of you, and I know you’re doing great and growing up nicely," Dhawan wrote. "Papa always misses you and loves you. He's always positive, waiting with a smile for the time when we will meet again by the Grace of God. Be naughty but not destructive, be a giver, be humble, compassionate, patient, and strong. Despite not seeing you, I write you messages almost every day, asking about your well-being and daily life, sharing what I’m doing and what’s new in my life. Love you loads Zora,” he concluded. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shikhar Dhawan (@shikhardofficial) × Meanwhile, Dhawan’s petition claimed that Aesha’s commitments to her previous marriage and daughters residing in Australia caused issues. He also alleged that Aesha pressured him into investing heavily in Australian properties, raising concerns over his financial situation. Aesha did not defend herself in court. Besides, though the court granted them divorce, it denied Dhawan the right to have his son’s permanent custody. Dhawan could only meet his son when he used to come to India or when Dhawan travelled Down Under.

‘I’ve been blocked from everywhere…’ - Shikhar Dhawan's teary-eyed birthday post for son Zoravar

<p>India captain and batting great Rohit Sharma admits that South Africa, of all touring countries, is the hardest place for the batters. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Rohit talked in detail about how crucial it is for India to win a series in the Rainbow Nation, given their position in world cricket, and what it could do to boost the nation’s morale following the World Cup final loss.</p>

<p>"It's a very important two Test matches in terms of where we stand as a team," Rohit Sharma told media ahead of the Boxing Day Test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"To look back, we have never won a series here as well, that's a big opportunity in itself. We have come pretty close the last two times we toured here, and we come to this place with a lot of confidence trying to achieve what no one has ever achieved in this part of the world,” Rohit added.</p>

<p>Sharma has been part of the Test setup that found tremendous success in Australia and England in the past 5-7 years. Speaking on how fast bowling changed India’s dynamics as a touring team, Rohit admitted that their best pacer in Tests and perhaps on current form, Mohammed Shami’s absence will be felt.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-admits-it-took-time-to-come-out-of-world-cup-final-loss-drops-hints-on-playing-2024-t20-wc-673455">Rohit admits it took time to come out of World Cup final loss, drops hints on playing 2024 T20 WC</a></strong></p>

<p>"Our seamers have earned respect in how they have performed in overseas conditions," Rohit said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In the last 5-7 years in fact, we did very well in Australia and England, even in South Africa, we have come close. We won in Centurion and came pretty close in Jo’burg and Cape Town, and the seamers have pulled their weight.</p>

<p>"Shami will be a big miss. His experience and what he has done over the years will be a big miss. Someone will take his place, and it won't be an easy role, but we have a lot of confidence in the guys who might take his place,” the India captain noted.</p>

<h2>Rohit aware of Proteas challenge</h2>

<p>India might have found success in white-ball cricket in this part of the world lately, but the win column in Tests still reads empty. For India to alter that, they will need their batters to weather the South African pace-attack storm and stand tall.</p>

<p>On the batting conditions in South Africa, Rohit said, "As a batter it's always a challenge to come and perform in South Africa, which is probably the hardest place to play for batsmen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I look forward to that challenge. Unfortunately I couldn't be here last time, but I'm looking forward to doing what is required from my side as a batter and see where it takes us."</p>

<p>"At some point, you have to start your career playing in these kind of conditions, so speaking to the people who have not been here before, they're excited and looking forward to the challenge,” he concluded.&nbsp;</p>


India captain and batting great Rohit Sharma admits that South Africa, of all touring countries, is the hardest place for the batters. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Rohit talked in detail about how crucial it is for India to win a series in the Rainbow Nation, given their position in world cricket, and what it could do to boost the nation’s morale following the World Cup final loss.

India captain and batting great Rohit Sharma admits that South Africa, of all touring countries, is the hardest place for the batters. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Rohit talked in detail about how crucial it is for India to win a series in the Rainbow Nation, given their position in world cricket, and what it could do to boost the nation’s morale following the World Cup final loss. "It's a very important two Test matches in terms of where we stand as a team," Rohit Sharma told media ahead of the Boxing Day Test. "To look back, we have never won a series here as well, that's a big opportunity in itself. We have come pretty close the last two times we toured here, and we come to this place with a lot of confidence trying to achieve what no one has ever achieved in this part of the world,” Rohit added. Sharma has been part of the Test setup that found tremendous success in Australia and England in the past 5-7 years. Speaking on how fast bowling changed India’s dynamics as a touring team, Rohit admitted that their best pacer in Tests and perhaps on current form, Mohammed Shami’s absence will be felt. ALSO READ: Rohit admits it took time to come out of World Cup final loss, drops hints on playing 2024 T20 WC "Our seamers have earned respect in how they have performed in overseas conditions," Rohit said. "In the last 5-7 years in fact, we did very well in Australia and England, even in South Africa, we have come close. We won in Centurion and came pretty close in Jo’burg and Cape Town, and the seamers have pulled their weight. "Shami will be a big miss. His experience and what he has done over the years will be a big miss. Someone will take his place, and it won't be an easy role, but we have a lot of confidence in the guys who might take his place,” the India captain noted. Rohit aware of Proteas challenge India might have found success in white-ball cricket in this part of the world lately, but the win column in Tests still reads empty. For India to alter that, they will need their batters to weather the South African pace-attack storm and stand tall. On the batting conditions in South Africa, Rohit said, "As a batter it's always a challenge to come and perform in South Africa, which is probably the hardest place to play for batsmen. "I look forward to that challenge. Unfortunately I couldn't be here last time, but I'm looking forward to doing what is required from my side as a batter and see where it takes us." "At some point, you have to start your career playing in these kind of conditions, so speaking to the people who have not been here before, they're excited and looking forward to the challenge,” he concluded.

Boxing Day Test: South Africa is hardest place to play for batters, admits India captain Rohit

<p>India batting great Virat Kohli returned home shortly after landing in South Africa due to a family emergency. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad also got ruled out of the Test series due to a finger injury. The sources close to the information revealed that Ruturaj failed to recover in time and thus was released from the Test squad.</p>

<p>Although there is no clarity around the nature of the emergency, an unnamed BCCI source admitted Virat will return on Friday (Dec 22) in Johannesburg, rejoining the Indian Team in their preparation for the first Test in Centurion on Boxing Day.</p>

<p>Following obtaining permission from the BCCI and the team management, Virat flew to Mumbai three days ago, skipping the three-day warm-up game in Pretoria involving all Test-bound players.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BCCI released a statement on Ruturaj, who suffered a finger injury during the second ODI in Port Elizabeth and is currently under the medical team’s supervision.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-ind-south-africas-dean-elgar-to-retire-following-india-tests-672447">SA vs IND: South Africa’s Dean Elgar to retire following India Tests</a></strong></p>

<p>"(He) hasn't fully recovered from the blow he sustained to his ring finger while fielding in the second ODI. He remains under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team," the Indian cricket board stated ahead of the third and final one-dayer.</p>

<p>After consulting the BCCI, the team management decided to release Gaikwad from the squad, as he is expected to reach India on Saturday (Dec 23). The Indian board hasn’t named any replacement yet.</p>

<h2>Indian players on a roll in warm-up game</h2>

<p>Several Indian players, mainly Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, made most of the given opportunity, whereas, a few others, including Captain Rohit Sharma, seamers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, looked impressive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the final ODI that concluded on Thursday, all Test-bound players will assemble in Johannesburg and travel to Centurion for the first Test.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>India’s Test squad for South Africa series –</h3>

<p>Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna</p>


India batting great Virat Kohli returned home shortly after landing in South Africa due to a family emergency. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad also got ruled out of the Test series due to a finger injury.

India batting great Virat Kohli returned home shortly after landing in South Africa due to a family emergency. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad also got ruled out of the Test series due to a finger injury. The sources close to the information revealed that Ruturaj failed to recover in time and thus was released from the Test squad. Although there is no clarity around the nature of the emergency, an unnamed BCCI source admitted Virat will return on Friday (Dec 22) in Johannesburg, rejoining the Indian Team in their preparation for the first Test in Centurion on Boxing Day. Following obtaining permission from the BCCI and the team management, Virat flew to Mumbai three days ago, skipping the three-day warm-up game in Pretoria involving all Test-bound players. Meanwhile, BCCI released a statement on Ruturaj, who suffered a finger injury during the second ODI in Port Elizabeth and is currently under the medical team’s supervision. ALSO READ: SA vs IND: South Africa’s Dean Elgar to retire following India Tests "(He) hasn't fully recovered from the blow he sustained to his ring finger while fielding in the second ODI. He remains under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team," the Indian cricket board stated ahead of the third and final one-dayer. After consulting the BCCI, the team management decided to release Gaikwad from the squad, as he is expected to reach India on Saturday (Dec 23). The Indian board hasn’t named any replacement yet. Indian players on a roll in warm-up game Several Indian players, mainly Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, made most of the given opportunity, whereas, a few others, including Captain Rohit Sharma, seamers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, looked impressive. Following the final ODI that concluded on Thursday, all Test-bound players will assemble in Johannesburg and travel to Centurion for the first Test. India’s Test squad for South Africa series – Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna

SA vs IND: Virat Kohli returns home due to family emergency; Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of South Africa Tests

<p>It’s been exactly 30 days, one month on the calendar since the World Cup final - when Pat Cummins delivered his promise and broke around 100,000 hearts in Ahmedabad and more than a billion outside of it. While losing to New Zealand in the semis four years ago was as heartbreaking, going down against the mighty Aussies in the final despite the unparalleled run in this World Cup felt personal, emotional and shattering.</p>

<p>So how could India lose this once-in-a-million chance of winning the World Cup at home?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Form could never be an issue, considering what this team delivered in this one-and-a-half-month tournament. Having won ten straight games, most with utter dominance, in the lead-up to the summit clash, India looked destined to complete this fairytale run with a World Cup win. Pat Cummins, however, had different plans.</p>

<p>For Australia to beat India on the day it mattered&nbsp;the most, God must have come down and stood in Australia’s corner, and for the record, that is what happened. With the home team not putting a foot wrong until Sunday (Nov 19) in Ahmedabad, India batted first, unlike in 2003, when Sourav Ganguly decided to bowl first to hand Australia the World Cup.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-captain-rishabh-pants-presence-confirmed-at-ipl-2024-auction-in-dubai-671100">Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant's presence confirmed at IPL 2024 auction in Dubai</a></strong></p>

<p>While Cummins sounded confident in his call to bowl first, surprising most fans, pundits and even commentators, Rohit was happy to bat&nbsp;first, admitting he would have done that anyway.</p>

<h2>Was bowling first a masterstroke by Cummins?</h2>

<p>Not until the game got over this call looked like a masterstroke by the Aussies. Putting India on the backfoot by removing Gill, Iyer and Rohit (47) inside the 11th over already had Australia’s nose in front. Travis Head’s running behind catch to dismiss Rohit was easily the game-changing moment for the home team.</p>

<p>Provided the wicket on offer was a used one (used during the India-Pakistan game group game), batting first looked like a viable option, considering the pitch might crack open as the game progressed. India, however, failed to make the most of this chance, but can they be blamed, given how well the Aussies bowled and fielded? No!</p>

<p>Be it the energetic Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, or the ageing David Warner, everyone committed themselves to giving more than 100 per cent&nbsp;on the field. Those dives near the boundary lines, or even in the 30-yard circle, saved almost 30 to 40 runs, enough to put the high-flying Indian batting attack on the backfoot.</p>

<p>Such was its effect that India could hit only a handful of fours from the 11th till the 40th over. Even with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul contributing with respective fifties, India could not surpass 240 – an under-par total in a World Cup final.</p>

<p>To put that in perspective, Australia bowled magnificently, perhaps the best in the tournament. Cummins was the standout bowler, conceding 35 in ten overs and picking two wickets, including that of Iyer and Kohli.</p>

<h3>Shami ahead of Siraj was a blunder</h3>

<p>Mohammed Shami was India’s best bowler in the 2023 World Cup, picking 23 wickets in six matches before the final. Now, if Rohit got tempted to use him upfront ahead of Siraj - a predominantly new-ball swing-bound bowler, he must have thought long and hard about it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following Warner’s wicket (off Shami), Rohit looked to have struck gold with his call. However, that bubble blew early with Shami’s wayward line with a new ball, as Rohit was left with Siraj and not a finger spinner to look out for wickets afterwards. With India not playing an extra spinner outside of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj had to bowl unusual lengths, bouncers mostly, not enough to trouble the settled pair.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Likewise for India, Australia lost early wickets, with Smith back in the hut. With pressure back on the Aussies, Head and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship and anchored Australia out of trouble with daunting innings, especially by Head, who scored a brilliant hundred (137 off 120).</p>

<p>With too many factors, not luck entirely, going against India in the World Cup final, Australia grabbed this opportunity and went for the sixth CWC title – the most by any team in history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The moment when Australia sealed the win, the dejection on the faces of the Indian players and fans was hard to watch.</p>

<h3>India lost to a better team</h3>

<p>There is no shame in losing to a better team in sports, be it any. While India won ten straight matches leading up to the final, Australia lost twice (opening two games against India and South Africa).&nbsp;</p>

<p>As destiny had it, India lost on the day when everything was on the line, while Australia held their nerves to stand tall once again against the same opponent 20 years later.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Be it Head, Maxwell, Warner, Cummins or Starc, every Aussie player contributed to helping their team take the coveted trophy home.&nbsp;</p>


It’s been exactly 30 days, one month on the calendar since the World Cup final - when Pat Cummins delivered his promise and broke around 100,000 hearts in Ahmedabad and more than a billion outside of it.

It’s been exactly 30 days, one month on the calendar since the World Cup final - when Pat Cummins delivered his promise and broke around 100,000 hearts in Ahmedabad and more than a billion outside of it. While losing to New Zealand in the semis four years ago was as heartbreaking, going down against the mighty Aussies in the final despite the unparalleled run in this World Cup felt personal, emotional and shattering. So how could India lose this once-in-a-million chance of winning the World Cup at home? Form could never be an issue, considering what this team delivered in this one-and-a-half-month tournament. Having won ten straight games, most with utter dominance, in the lead-up to the summit clash, India looked destined to complete this fairytale run with a World Cup win. Pat Cummins, however, had different plans. For Australia to beat India on the day it mattered the most, God must have come down and stood in Australia’s corner, and for the record, that is what happened. With the home team not putting a foot wrong until Sunday (Nov 19) in Ahmedabad, India batted first, unlike in 2003, when Sourav Ganguly decided to bowl first to hand Australia the World Cup. ALSO READ: Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant's presence confirmed at IPL 2024 auction in Dubai While Cummins sounded confident in his call to bowl first, surprising most fans, pundits and even commentators, Rohit was happy to bat first, admitting he would have done that anyway. Was bowling first a masterstroke by Cummins? Not until the game got over this call looked like a masterstroke by the Aussies. Putting India on the backfoot by removing Gill, Iyer and Rohit (47) inside the 11th over already had Australia’s nose in front. Travis Head’s running behind catch to dismiss Rohit was easily the game-changing moment for the home team. Provided the wicket on offer was a used one (used during the India-Pakistan game group game), batting first looked like a viable option, considering the pitch might crack open as the game progressed. India, however, failed to make the most of this chance, but can they be blamed, given how well the Aussies bowled and fielded? No! Be it the energetic Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, or the ageing David Warner, everyone committed themselves to giving more than 100 per cent on the field. Those dives near the boundary lines, or even in the 30-yard circle, saved almost 30 to 40 runs, enough to put the high-flying Indian batting attack on the backfoot. Such was its effect that India could hit only a handful of fours from the 11th till the 40th over. Even with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul contributing with respective fifties, India could not surpass 240 – an under-par total in a World Cup final. To put that in perspective, Australia bowled magnificently, perhaps the best in the tournament. Cummins was the standout bowler, conceding 35 in ten overs and picking two wickets, including that of Iyer and Kohli. Shami ahead of Siraj was a blunder Mohammed Shami was India’s best bowler in the 2023 World Cup, picking 23 wickets in six matches before the final. Now, if Rohit got tempted to use him upfront ahead of Siraj - a predominantly new-ball swing-bound bowler, he must have thought long and hard about it. Following Warner’s wicket (off Shami), Rohit looked to have struck gold with his call. However, that bubble blew early with Shami’s wayward line with a new ball, as Rohit was left with Siraj and not a finger spinner to look out for wickets afterwards. With India not playing an extra spinner outside of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj had to bowl unusual lengths, bouncers mostly, not enough to trouble the settled pair. Likewise for India, Australia lost early wickets, with Smith back in the hut. With pressure back on the Aussies, Head and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship and anchored Australia out of trouble with daunting innings, especially by Head, who scored a brilliant hundred (137 off 120). With too many factors, not luck entirely, going against India in the World Cup final, Australia grabbed this opportunity and went for the sixth CWC title – the most by any team in history. The moment when Australia sealed the win, the dejection on the faces of the Indian players and fans was hard to watch. India lost to a better team There is no shame in losing to a better team in sports, be it any. While India won ten straight matches leading up to the final, Australia lost twice (opening two games against India and South Africa). As destiny had it, India lost on the day when everything was on the line, while Australia held their nerves to stand tall once again against the same opponent 20 years later. Be it Head, Maxwell, Warner, Cummins or Starc, every Aussie player contributed to helping their team take the coveted trophy home.

Explained - How did India falter despite their 'greatest run' in World Cup history

<p>On Tuesday (Dec 19), the Delhi Capitals confirmed that their skipper Rishabh Pant will be part of their table at the IPL 2024 mini-auction. The auction is being held in Dubai, outside India for the first time ever, and it will be Pant's first official engagement since his horrific car crash on New Year's Eve last year.</p>

<p>While it is to be seen if Pant will be raising the paddle, he will surely be part of the DC table and hope to contribute to the team's thinking in acquiring some big players. Ahead of the mega affair, Pant reacted to joining his side in his first-ever live auction proceedings and even thanked his fortunes for being alive after the heartbreaking accident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On being part of the auction, Pant told in a vido shared on IPL's official handle on X, "You know, as a kid. I used to think, like one day I might be able to sit on the (auction) table, uh, somehow to help the team or something like that. I never thought that I will make it happen, but somehow things are in place and I'm able to do it and lucky to be able to do it. I think hopefully it will be amazing experience, because this is something new. Lots of love for the fans and hope we get whatever we want from the auction, I guess."</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stop everything and watch this interview 📽️<br />
<br />
Presenting Rishabh Pant who's going to be on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DC</a> auction table for the first time EVER 🤗<br />
<br />
P.S - We are so happy to see Rishabh BACK 🥹<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiCapitals</a> <a href="https://t.co/4j6TWIrZsf">pic.twitter.com/4j6TWIrZsf</a></p>
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1736959986058633547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-captain-rishabh-pants-presence-confirmed-at-ipl-2024-auction-in-dubai-671100">Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant's presence confirmed at IPL 2024 auction in Dubai</a></strong></p>

<p>Pant also reflected on his horrific car crash, that took place in the early hours of Dec 30, 2022. "The kind of accident I had, I am lucky to be alive. I think kaafi challenging tha (it was very challenging), especially the first part I would say. More of a physical point of view because in the starting there was a lot of pain to be endured. But just looking forward to the journey. Until now, I think it's been going really well from a recovery point of view."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian keeper-batter was seen in the DC balcony during some of their games in IPL 2023. Regarding this, Pant stated, "I felt like I couldn't face people and all and I felt like I had to do something, which gives me confidence. And I wanted to support my team at the same time because I've been playing for them. I love my team all the way. So I wanted to show my support even on my worst times, so that was the idea and I think it's part of the recovery process."</p>

<p>Courtesy of a speedy recovery since his accident, Pant is all set to lead DC in the IPL 2024 edition. Last season, they ended at the penultimate spot in his absence with David Warner leading the franchise. For now, it will be interesting to see how they revamp their squad in the IPL 2024 mini-auction on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>


On Tuesday (Dec 19), the Delhi Capitals confirmed that their skipper Rishabh Pant will be part of their table at the IPL 2024 mini-auction. The auction is being held in Dubai, outside India for the first time ever, and it will be Pant's first official engagement since his horrific car crash on New Year's Eve last year.

On Tuesday (Dec 19), the Delhi Capitals confirmed that their skipper Rishabh Pant will be part of their table at the IPL 2024 mini-auction. The auction is being held in Dubai, outside India for the first time ever, and it will be Pant's first official engagement since his horrific car crash on New Year's Eve last year. While it is to be seen if Pant will be raising the paddle, he will surely be part of the DC table and hope to contribute to the team's thinking in acquiring some big players. Ahead of the mega affair, Pant reacted to joining his side in his first-ever live auction proceedings and even thanked his fortunes for being alive after the heartbreaking accident. On being part of the auction, Pant told in a vido shared on IPL's official handle on X, "You know, as a kid. I used to think, like one day I might be able to sit on the (auction) table, uh, somehow to help the team or something like that. I never thought that I will make it happen, but somehow things are in place and I'm able to do it and lucky to be able to do it. I think hopefully it will be amazing experience, because this is something new. Lots of love for the fans and hope we get whatever we want from the auction, I guess." Stop everything and watch this interview 📽️ Presenting Rishabh Pant who's going to be on the #DC auction table for the first time EVER 🤗 P.S - We are so happy to see Rishabh BACK 🥹#IPL | @RishabhPant17 | @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/4j6TWIrZsf — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 19, 2023 × Also read: Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant's presence confirmed at IPL 2024 auction in Dubai Pant also reflected on his horrific car crash, that took place in the early hours of Dec 30, 2022. "The kind of accident I had, I am lucky to be alive. I think kaafi challenging tha (it was very challenging), especially the first part I would say. More of a physical point of view because in the starting there was a lot of pain to be endured. But just looking forward to the journey. Until now, I think it's been going really well from a recovery point of view." The Indian keeper-batter was seen in the DC balcony during some of their games in IPL 2023. Regarding this, Pant stated, "I felt like I couldn't face people and all and I felt like I had to do something, which gives me confidence. And I wanted to support my team at the same time because I've been playing for them. I love my team all the way. So I wanted to show my support even on my worst times, so that was the idea and I think it's part of the recovery process." Courtesy of a speedy recovery since his accident, Pant is all set to lead DC in the IPL 2024 edition. Last season, they ended at the penultimate spot in his absence with David Warner leading the franchise. For now, it will be interesting to see how they revamp their squad in the IPL 2024 mini-auction on Tuesday.

'Lucky to be alive': Rishabh Pant recalls horrific car crash before joining DC table at IPL auction

<p>India and South Africa will lock horns with each other&nbsp;in the second and penultimate ODI, of the three-match series, on Tuesday (Dec 19). The series opener was a one-sided affair where KL Rahul-led India thrashed Aiden Markram's South Africa by eight wickets after dismissing them for a paltry 116 in 27.3 overs. In reply, the Men in Blue chased down the score&nbsp;with 200 balls to spare.</p>

<p>The focus now shifts to the second and penultimate tie, which will be held at St George's Park, Gqeberha. The venue had hosted the second T20I, of the three-match series which ended at a 1-1 stalemate, that saw rain interrupting the clash. The hosts won that game by five wickets, by DLS method, after their run-chase was shortened to 15 overs. Fans will hope for rain to stay away to ensure a full game this time around.</p>

<p><strong>Weather prediction for 2nd ODI</strong></p>

<p>There is a light rain&nbsp;forecast on the match day. However, it is expected to be clear by the time the match kicks off. Hence, one can expect the conditions&nbsp;to be slightly overcast but a full game should be on the cards.</p>

<p>Talking about the surface, bounce at the venue is lower than most other venues in the African nation. Hence, it has not been a happy hunting ground for the Proteas. Notably, they have conceded two of the last three ODIs at the venue and interestingly, both to teams from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, India have a solid chance to take an unassailable lead and wrap up the series with a game to spare.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/explained-how-did-india-falter-despite-their-greatest-run-in-world-cup-history-671135">Explained - How did India falter despite their 'greatest run' in World Cup history</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking on the first ODI, Rahul &amp; Co. were asked to field first at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Arshdeep Singh's 5 for 37 and Avesh Khan's 4 for 27 rattled the home side as they never recovered from early blows and fell for 116. In reply, debutant Sai Sudharshan's unbeaten 55 and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer's 52 took India home without dropping much sweat.</p>

<p>At the post-match presentation, Rahul said, "I am happy. Good to have a win under the belt. Completely different to what we expected. The plan was to get the spinners in the game. The boys did really well. The boys did well to stay disciplined. The ball kept moving around. There is a lot of cricket being played. You prioritize one format. For now, it is Tests and T20s. Everyone is performing and trying to do well for the country. Good chance for them to get a taste of international cricket."</p>


India and South Africa will lock horns with each other in the second and penultimate ODI, of the three-match series, on Tuesday (Dec 19). The series opener was a one-sided affair where KL Rahul-led India thrashed Aiden Markram's South Africa by eight wickets after dismissing them for a paltry 116 in 27.

India and South Africa will lock horns with each other in the second and penultimate ODI, of the three-match series, on Tuesday (Dec 19). The series opener was a one-sided affair where KL Rahul-led India thrashed Aiden Markram's South Africa by eight wickets after dismissing them for a paltry 116 in 27.3 overs. In reply, the Men in Blue chased down the score with 200 balls to spare. The focus now shifts to the second and penultimate tie, which will be held at St George's Park, Gqeberha. The venue had hosted the second T20I, of the three-match series which ended at a 1-1 stalemate, that saw rain interrupting the clash. The hosts won that game by five wickets, by DLS method, after their run-chase was shortened to 15 overs. Fans will hope for rain to stay away to ensure a full game this time around. Weather prediction for 2nd ODI There is a light rain forecast on the match day. However, it is expected to be clear by the time the match kicks off. Hence, one can expect the conditions to be slightly overcast but a full game should be on the cards. Talking about the surface, bounce at the venue is lower than most other venues in the African nation. Hence, it has not been a happy hunting ground for the Proteas. Notably, they have conceded two of the last three ODIs at the venue and interestingly, both to teams from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, India have a solid chance to take an unassailable lead and wrap up the series with a game to spare. Also read: Explained - How did India falter despite their 'greatest run' in World Cup history Speaking on the first ODI, Rahul & Co. were asked to field first at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Arshdeep Singh's 5 for 37 and Avesh Khan's 4 for 27 rattled the home side as they never recovered from early blows and fell for 116. In reply, debutant Sai Sudharshan's unbeaten 55 and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer's 52 took India home without dropping much sweat. At the post-match presentation, Rahul said, "I am happy. Good to have a win under the belt. Completely different to what we expected. The plan was to get the spinners in the game. The boys did really well. The boys did well to stay disciplined. The ball kept moving around. There is a lot of cricket being played. You prioritize one format. For now, it is Tests and T20s. Everyone is performing and trying to do well for the country. Good chance for them to get a taste of international cricket."

SA vs India 2nd ODI, Weather report: Will rain interrupt second and penultimate tie in Gqeberha?