Star batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were in top form as they batted for their respective teams in the Ranji Trophy final group-stage matches. Pujara came close to hitting his 67th first-class hundred, but was unfortunately dismissed for 99 against Assam. Meanwhile, Rahane also put up an impressive performance, scoring 95 runs before being dismissed.
Pujara and Rahane Shine in Ranji Trophy Final Group Stage
Star Indian batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been in top form during the ongoing Ranji Trophy final group-stage matches. Pujara, batting for Saurashtra, came close to scoring his 67th first-class century but was dismissed for 99 against Assam. Meanwhile, Rahane, playing for Mumbai, scored an impressive 95 before being dismissed.
Background
Pujara and Rahane are two of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the Indian cricket team. Pujara has played over 100 Tests and scored more than 7,000 runs. He is known for his solid technique and ability to bat for long periods of time. Rahane has played over 80 Tests and scored over 6,000 runs. He is known for his elegant strokeplay and ability to score runs quickly.
Both Pujara and Rahane have been in good form lately. Pujara scored a century in the second Test against Australia in December 2023, and Rahane scored a half-century in the third Test. They will be hoping to continue their good form in the Ranji Trophy and help their respective teams qualify for the knockout stages.
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Pakistan has chosen its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy and it includes three players who have shined in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. Opener Usman Khan, all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf have impressed for their teams and have helped them reach the knockout stage of the tournament. They will be led by Mohammad Rizwan, who has been captain since Babar Azam stepped down in 2023, and are hoping to defend their title as the hosts for the 2025 edition.
In a thrilling high-scoring match, India defeated England by 20 runs in the fourth T20I. Shivam Dube's unbeaten 52 off 36 balls and Hardik Pandya's 53 off just 31 balls propelled India to a total of 181. Despite a valiant effort from England, they fell short as India's bowlers successfully defended their total.
Hardik Pandya put up a stellar performance with the bat, scoring a blazing half-century to help India win against England in the ongoing T20I. The all-rounder managed to reach his milestone with a six off the bowling of Jamie Overton, bringing up his fifth half-century in T20I career. Despite his dismissal soon after, Pandya's efforts helped India level the series 2-2 with two more matches left to play. Follow all the live updates and news on the IPL 2025 auction and cricket developments at Sportskeeda.
In a historic event at the fourth T20I between India and England, 23-year-old cricketer Harshit Rana became the first concussion substitute to make his T20 International debut. Rana was called up to replace Shivam Dube, who was struck on the helmet by a delivery. Rana went on to make an immediate impact, taking three crucial wickets and helping India win the game. This makes him among a select group of cricketers to have made their international debuts as concussion substitutes, under the new ICC guidelines.
India and England are set to face off in the 4th T20I, with the series currently in India's favor at 2-1. After a loss in the 3rd match, India will be looking to make some changes to their playing XI, possibly including the return of pacer Arshdeep Singh. Meanwhile, England will be counting on the skills of their top players, including Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid, to turn the tables in their favor on the Pune pitch. With the match being a crucial one for both teams, it will be an exciting battle to watch.
In the 4th T20I match between India and England, Harshit Rana became the first Indian to debut as a concussion substitute. Despite not being part of the original Playing XI, Rana took three wickets and played a crucial role in India's 15-run victory. His performance has sparked debates among fans regarding the fairness of concussion substitutions in cricket.
Indian pacer Harshit Rana unexpectedly made a last-minute entry into the playing XI for the fourth T20I against England, replacing batsman Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute. Despite being cleared to play by the mandatory concussion test, Dube was run out after being struck on the helmet by a delivery from Jamie Overton. Rana, however, impressed with his bowling, taking three wickets and sparking a debate on social media over the controversial decision to substitute him for Dube. Many criticized the move as lacking in sportsmanship and an abuse of the ICC's substitution rules.
In a thrilling T20 match, England fell short by 15 runs in their chase against India. Despite a heroic half-century by Harry Brook, the team was unable to secure a win due to a string of wickets falling in the second half of their innings. The turning point of the match was when India's Shivam Dube was replaced by Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute, leading to controversy and frustration from the England team. However, Rana's three crucial wickets proved to be the difference, helping India seal the series victory.
England opener Ben Duckett admitted that he missed an opportunity to take down Axar Patel in the third T20I against India, which ultimately cost them a bigger score. Despite the missed opportunity, Duckett praised the team's aggressive approach under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum, who encourages them to go hard no matter the situation. With the series tied at 2-2, England will face another must-win situation in the fourth T20I in Pune. Stay updated with the latest news and live updates of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction on Sportskeeda.
In an intense match between India and England in the fourth T20I, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube's commanding fifties helped India reach a total of 181 for 9. Despite a rocky start with early wickets, the duo's partnership of 87 runs was crucial in pushing India past the 150-mark. However, Saqib Mahmood's impressive performance as the most successful bowler with three wickets kept England in the game.