Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja out as Konstas is set to open for Australia in 4th Test In the world of sports, exciting news has emerged that 19-year-old Sam Konstas has been called up to the Australian Test squad for the last two Tests against India. The young and talented right-handed batter has a proven track record in First Class cricket and is expected to open for the Baggy Greens in the upcoming Boxing Day Test. With established players like Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja being dropped, Konstas has the chance to make a name for himself and establish a place in the Australian team. Having already recorded a fast fifty by a Sydney Thunder batter, all eyes will be on this potential new star in the making.
Poco has expanded its smartphone range in India with the launch of Poco M7 Pro 5G and Poco C75 5G. These phones come with HyperOS based on Android 14 and are powered by MediaTek Dimensity and Snapdragon chipsets. The Poco M7 Pro 5G boasts a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display, a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 5,110mAh battery with 45W fast charging. On the other hand, the Poco C75 5G targets the affordable 5G segment, priced at just Rs. 7,999. Exciting features and competitive prices make these new releases a must-see for tech enthusiasts.
The third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane has been plagued with rain, with only 58 overs bowled on the fourth day. With India struggling at 213-9, it looked like a follow-on was inevitable until a heroic stand from tail-enders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Their partnership took India to 252-9 and avoided the follow-on, setting the match on course for a soggy draw. However, Australia will still have to take one more wicket on the fifth day and make a decision on whether to declare or bat again, with the risk of losing the match if India can chase down the target.
Australian cricket star Steve Smith finally found his form with a phenomenal 33rd Test hundred against India at the Gabba in Brisbane. This century not only put him second on the list of Australian batters with the most centuries in Tests, but also equalled Joe Root's record for the most centuries against India and broke Rohit Sharma's record in the World Test Championship. Smith's partnership with Travis Head of 241 runs has put India in a difficult position and fans are eagerly waiting to see if India can make a comeback on the third day.
Realme's latest smartphone, the Realme 14x 5G, is set to launch on December 18 in India. Boasting a rare IP69 rating for dust and water protection, it offers a durable option for budget-conscious consumers. Featuring a sophisticated diamond cut design and three vibrant color options, the device also includes a 50MP AI main lens and a potential inclusion of the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC for enhanced performance. With three storage configurations and a price expected to be below INR 15,000, the Realme 14x 5G is set to make its mark in the competitive smartphone market.
In an exclusive interview with Fortune India, Mobikwik CEO Bipin Preet Singh shares insights on the company's IPO strategy, business model, and future expansion plans. The fintech firm, which has achieved a scale and profitability over 15 years, is gearing up to go public to further strengthen its financial and payment services business. With a fixed price band for its initial IPO and utilization of proceeds for organic growth and technology advancements, Mobikwik is poised to make a mark in the fast-growing digital payment and services space.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has raised concerns over the inconsistent performance of India's pace bowlers in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. With Mohammed Shami set to make his return to the squad, Shastri believes that his addition will greatly boost the team's chances. Shami, who recently recovered from a knee injury, has been in good form in domestic matches and is expected to rejoin the squad for the fourth and fifth Tests of the series.
Thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to make waves in the U19 Asia Cup as he leads India to victory in the semi-final against Sri Lanka. The left-handed batter smashed 31 runs in the second over of the chase and went on to score 67 runs off 36 balls, becoming the youngest-ever player to be signed in the IPL. India's bowlers also played a crucial role, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total of 173 runs.
India made three changes to their playing XI for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, including captain Rohit Sharma's return and the inclusion of Shubman Gill and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, their batting order struggled against Australia's bowling attack, with openers KL Rahul and Shubman Gill failing to make a significant impact. Skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to come in to bat in the middle order also did not pay off, as he was dismissed for just three runs. Australia's Mitchell Starc claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, leaving India on the back foot in the day-night Test.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's much-anticipated pink-ball Test debut ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a golden duck by Mitchell Starc on the first ball of the match. This is the third time Jaiswal has got out for zero in Test cricket and has joined the list of six other Indian players who have registered a golden duck. Meanwhile, India have made three changes to their playing XI for the match.