After losing the Boxing Day Test, India faces a crucial match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Indian captain Rohit Sharma has opted out due to poor form, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the team. This could mark the end of Rohit's Test career, while Prasidh Krishna's inclusion adds a new dimension to India's pace attack alongside Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. India must win to retain the trophy and keep its chances alive in the World Test Championship. Tune in for the Day 1 play starting at 5:00 AM IST.
Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has informed coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision to opt-out of the fifth and final Test against Australia. In his place, paceman Jasprit Bumrah is likely to lead the team in the all-important match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This could also mean that the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne might have been Rohit's last for India, as he may not be a part of the next World Test Championship cycle. Youngster Shubman Gill will replace him in the playing 11, as India aims to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Amid speculation of unrest following a crushing defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj have denied any division within the Indian team. Gambhir emphasized the importance of honesty and performance in the dressing room, while Bhardwaj clarified that reports of a rift often surface after a loss. Gambhir also addressed rumors about captain Rohit Sharma's absence from the pre-match press conference, stating that the final playing XI will be decided after assessing the pitch.
With Australia leading the test series 2-1 against India, the Sydney Cricket Ground is getting ready to host the fifth and final Test. The SCG curator Adam Lewis shared a video on social media, giving a sneak peek into the pitch preparation process. Meanwhile, Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey expressed his joy and pride over the team's victory in the previous Test, while also acknowledging the tough task ahead to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite struggling with fitness, Starc's determination and full pace bowling on Day 5 helped Australia defend the target of 330 runs in the Boxing Day Test.
The nail-biting, record-breaking match between Australia and India in the Boxing Day Test captured the attention of millions of viewers, with a staggering 8.6 million tuning in to watch the thrilling final session on day five. The debut performance of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, Nitish Kumar Reddy's impressive knock, and Jasprit Bumrah's captivating spell were just some of the highlights of this unforgettable match. With an average total TV audience of 1.3 million, a 56% increase from last year, and 906,000 viewers exclusively on 7plus, it's clear that the clash between these two cricket teams was a must-watch for sports fans. With Australia now leading 2-1 in the series, all eyes are on the upcoming Sydney Test for another thrilling match.
In a recent statement, Indian captain Rohit Sharma discussed Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Sharma stated that Pant needs to understand his role in the team, rather than being told by others. The wicketkeeper's dismissal triggered a massive collapse, leading to a 2-1 series lead for Australia. Amidst political debates surrounding the Manmohan Singh memorial, discussions are underway for potential sites for the tribute.
On the fifth day of the Boxing Day Test, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul helped dismiss the Australian team for a total of 234 runs in their second innings, setting a challenging target of 340 runs for India. However, India struggled in their fourth innings, losing key players like captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to Australia's Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. The match remains in a crucial position as India needs 309 more runs to win in the remaining two sessions.
After an exceptional performance on Day 4 of the India vs Australia Boxing Day Test, Jasprit Bumrah has become the fastest Indian pacer to reach 200 Test wickets. He has also joined the ranks of cricket legends such as Pat Cummins, Ravindra Jadeja, Kagiso Rabada, Richard Hadlee, and Joel Garner. By surpassing Anil Kumble's record, Bumrah now holds the title for most Test wickets by an Indian bowler in SENA countries.
Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah got his sweet revenge on Australian debutant Sam Konstas by dismissing him with a brilliant delivery in the second innings of the boxing day Test. Konstas, who had impressed with the bat in the first innings, was knocked over by Bumrah's fiery delivery, leading to wild celebrations from the Indian team. The 19-year-old had shown aggression towards Bumrah in the first innings but was unable to replicate his performance in the second.
During the ongoing Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Australian batsman Travis Head for the second time in the match. Commentator and former Australian opener Simon Katich couldn't contain his excitement and praised Bumrah's performance on air. Bumrah's dismissal of Head on his birthday added to the nightmare for the Australian left-hander, who was also dismissed for a duck by Bumrah in the first innings.