Tilak Varma's request to bat at No.3 pays off as he smashes a maiden century against South Africa in the 3rd T20I. In a post-match interview, he reveals that it was captain Suryakumar Yadav who gave him the opportunity. The young batsman dedicates his century to the skipper and praises the team's support and backing. He adds that the team encouraged them to play freely, leading to a stunning performance.
India ended their T20I campaign for the year with a bang, sealing a convincing victory over South Africa in the fourth and final match of the series. Led by record-breaking centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, India posted a mammoth total of 283 for 1, the highest ever against South Africa in T20Is. The Indian bowlers then put in a dominant performance to clinch a 135-run win, making it their biggest T20I victory against the Proteas and ending their year on a high note.
Team India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy began on a disappointing note as three of their star batters, including captain Virat Kohli, failed to make meaningful contributions in a match simulation in Perth. With the pressure of needing a 4-0 series win against Australia to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final, India's struggles against New Zealand have put their chances in jeopardy. While Australia have announced their squad, India's lineup is still uncertain, adding to the mounting pressure.
In an epic moment in cricket history, India's captain Virat Kohli became the first player to score 50 ODI centuries, surpassing the record set by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The two icons of Indian cricket shared a special moment on the field, with Kohli bowing down in respect to his idol. The record also serves as a testament to Sachin's excellence, as it took over a decade since his retirement for another player to reach such heights.
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has decided to join Karnali Yaks for the upcoming season of the Nepal Premier League. The dynamic and experienced batsman recently announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, making this transition to Nepali cricket all the more exciting. Dhawan brings with him an impressive record of 6,793 runs in 167 ODI matches, making him a valuable asset for Karnali Yaks.
The announcement of Pakistan's plan to conduct a trophy tour of the ICC Champions Trophy through PoK has caused a stir, with India registering a strong protest with the ICC. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has condemned the move and urged for appropriate action to be taken. The controversy has also sparked tensions on social media, with BJP leader Amit Malviya calling out Pakistan's "loss of face". There are concerns that the strained relations between India and Pakistan could affect the hosting of the tournament.
The Indian cricket team is on the verge of making history as they face off against South Africa in the fourth T20 match. With an unassailable lead, India has the chance to secure a historic series win. However, South Africa, determined to avoid defeat, is still a formidable opponent. In the final game, India may introduce two uncapped players, Vijakumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal, in an effort to solidify their victory. The Wanderers 'Bull Ring' has proven to be a lucky ground for India and they will be looking for a collective batting effort to clinch the series 3-1.
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the top spot in ICC ODI rankings after his impressive showing in the recent series against Australia. Along with Afridi, teammate Haris Rauf also jumped to a career-high 13th position in the rankings. Despite being demoted in their central contracts, Afridi and Rauf have proved their worth on the field, with Rauf also earning the Player of the Series award. Afridi's journey to the top has not been without setbacks, including a controversy during the T20 World Cup and losing the captaincy after one series loss. Rauf, on the other hand, had refused to play for Pakistan and his central contract was terminated before being restored.
The inaugural Women’s U19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Malaysia, will see India and Pakistan battling it out in the same group. The tournament will include six teams, divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The tournament will commence on December 15, with the hosts facing Sri Lanka in the opening game. India and Pakistan are set to clash on the same day while the top two teams from each group will compete in the Super Four round on December 19 and 20.
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke criticizes the team management for not taking the recent ODI series loss against Pakistan seriously. The Aussies were beaten by the Mohammad Rizwan-led squad by 1-2 in a three-match ODI series. Clarke questions the decision to rest five players, including the captain, as 'non-caring' towards the series. He suggests that players expected to compete in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy should have played the final ODI against Pakistan, noting that their absence would also impact their training. With Australia resting key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Steve Smith during series decider, Clarke argues that the team management's priorities are misplaced.