Former India cricketer Suresh Raina was arrested in Mumbai on Monday after a raid at the Dragonfly club for violating COVID-19 norms.
The left-hander, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, was later released on bail.
Suresh Raina Arrested in Mumbai
Suresh Raina and singer Guru Randhawa were among the 34 people who were arrested in a Mumbai Club after a raid.
According to reports, Mumbai Police issued an official statement which says that an “offense has been registered u/s 188, 269, 34 IPC and u/s 51 NDMA against 34 persons at Sahar police station after the raid was conducted at 2.50 AM at Dragonfly pub, for keeping establishment open beyond the permissible time limit, not following Covid norms such as social distancing, not wearing a face mask.”
Suresh Raina was arrested in Mumbai after a raid in a club, but he later got the bail.
The 2011 World Cup winner, part of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team, has not played professional cricket for the past one year. Earlier Raina withdraws from IPL 2020 owing to personal reasons and returns to India before the tournament begins. In his absence, Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their history.
Raina- Not Aware of the rules
‘Suresh was in Mumbai for a shoot which extended to late hours and was invited by a friend for a quick dinner post the same prior to him taking his flight back to Delhi. He was not aware of the local timings and protocols,’ a statement on behalf of Raina said.
‘Once pointed out, he immediately complied with the procedures laid out by the authorities and regrets the unfortunate and unintentional incident. He always holds rules and laws laid down by governing bodies with the highest regard and will continue to do so in the future as well,’ it said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India had earlier said that the domestic cricket season in the country will begin with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from January 10. The final will take place on January 31 and the board will take a decision on the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy after the group stage of the domestic T20 tournament.
He is also working to promote the sport for youths in Jammu and Kashmir for which he travelled the union territory recently and met with the administration.
South African legend Jacques Kallis was appointed as the batting consultant of the England team for next month’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka.
Jacques Kallis appoints as Batting Consultant for England
The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement that the team will depart for Sri Lanka on January 2. “Seven coaches will join the squad for the two-Test tour, with the tour party departing on 2 January,” the ECB said.
Jacques Kallis will be a Batting Coaching Consultant for us in 🇱🇰
The ECB last week stepped up its search for full-time appointments for their batting, pace- and spin-bowling coaching vacancies, with applications due to close on January 10, meaning that Kallis’s appointment may be the last consultancy role used by the board.
“Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as a batting coaching consultant,” it added.
The 45-year-old Kallis worked in a similar role with the Proteas last year in the Test series against England. An all-time great, Kallis has scored 13,298 runs from 166 Tests at an average of 55.37 for South Africa, in addition to taking 292 wickets.
It is not yet known if Kallis’ appointment will extend to the marquee tour of India beginning February next year.
Former England batsman Paul Collingwood will be assistant to head coach Chris Silverwood in Sri Lanka, while Jon Lewis will be the bowling coach. Jeetan Patel will be the spin bowling consultant and Carl Hopkinson will serve as the fielding coach. James Foster will be the wicketkeeper coaching consultant.
Both the Tests will be played at Galle from January 14-18 and January 22-26.
Earlier, there were concerns over the viability of the tour but the Sri Lankan government gave the go-ahead earlier this month after protracted negotiations, given the extensive travel bans being imposed on the UK by several countries, following the spread of a new variant of the Coronavirus.
BCCI confirms to add 2 more teams in IPL in its 2022 edition instead of the 2021 edition. Post the IPL 2020 the major talk arises on behalf of adding two more IPL teams to the existing 8 teams.
Under BCCI AGM Agenda various topics were included namely the T20 World cup schedule and the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
One of the major points in the agenda of BCCI’s AGM to be held in Ahmedabad is the inclusion of new IPL franchises.
Additional 2 teams in IPL 2022
It is learned that most of the stakeholders feel that having a nine or 10-team IPL in 2021 will be a hasty decision with the new franchises getting very little time to build a competitive team.
Dream11 IPL trophy
“There are a lot of modalities that needs to be discussed and most of the stakeholders feel that with IPL being held in April, there is very little time for a mega auction and to have a uniform retention policy, agreeable to all the existing franchises,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“You have to invite tenders and have a bidding process ready. In case you have 2 teams winning bids in late January or early February, they need to be given time for auction which can then be held only in March. That leaves a new team with very little time to plan,” he added.
A 10-team IPL means 94 games and nearly two and half month window which can throw the international calendar into disarray. Also, the availability of the top foreign players for the entire duration of the IPL needs to be ensured and the broadcast money per year which is for 60 matches also needs to be re-negotiated.
As of now, Star India pays Rs 16,347.50 crore for a period between 2018-2022 and till date it was for 60 matches per year. Some of the biggest names who seem to be interested in buying teams include business tycoons Gautam Adani and Sanjeev Goenka (erstwhile owner of Rising Pune Supergiant).
IPL Mega Auction
If BCCI gives permission to the addition of 2 more teams then the Mega Auction for the IPL 2021 is undeniable. But after the BCCI’s announcement, IPL 2021 Mega Auction gets into oscillation.
“To my two IPL franchises, DD and CSK, for having faith in me to represent them and for giving me an opportunity to share the dressing room with the legends of the game. The last five years have been injury-ridden but I am grateful to India Cements for being solid and having my back,” Mahesh said in a statement.
“I would like to thank my state cricket Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for nurturing me from the age of 14 and finishing with 12 years of first-class cricket,” he added.
Multiple injuries then put him out of action, but after getting his knees operated in London, Yo Mahesh returned to first-class cricket after five years in 2017 and helped Tamil Nadu snatch the first-innings advantage against Mumbai with two wickets followed by a career-best 103 not out.
Mahesh’s last competitive outing was in August 2019, when he played in Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). His last match for Tamil Nadu was a List A fixture against Assam in Chennai in September 2018.
“At the outset, thanks to BCCI for the opportunity to represent India at the Under-19 level and India A level. It’s been an honour and with utmost pride, I call it the highest point in my career,” said Mahesh.
Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh’s Carrier
The right-arm medium-fast bowler ends his career with 108 wickets in 50 first-class matches. He also scalped 93 wickets in List A cricket at an average of 24.67. The former seamer had played for India U-19 along with Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the 2006 World Cup held in Sri Lanka.
Yo Mahesh was among the first Indian domestic players to enjoy IPL success, emerging as Delhi Daredevils’ highest wicket-taker in the inaugural season, with 16 strikes at an economy rate of 8.77. He then joined the Super Kings and picked up three wickets in five matches, including a match-winning haul of 2 for 21 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
MSK Prasad picks the best wicket-keeper batsman on comparing Saha and Pant
Former BCCI chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said he would completely agree with the team management if they pick Rishabh Pant ahead of Wriddhiman Saha as the wicket-keeper for the last three Tests against Australia.
Saha likely to replace by Rishabh Pant
Saha was preferred over Pant for his experience and stand-out skills with the gloves but the failures with the bat in the Adelaide Test have probably worked against him. Wriddhiman Saha is likely to face the ax as Rishabh Pant looks certain to take his place in the XI.
Rishabh Pant
Prasad said that their committee (back when he was the chief selector) had decided that Pant would be their first choice wicketkeeper while playing in England and Australia.
“Look, our committee was clear that Rishabh Pant will be our first choice keeper in places like England and Australia. Only when we are looking at matches in India where you don’t need batting after number six most times, you can have a specialist keeper,” MSK Prasad was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Pant vs Australia in Test
Pant, who has been struggling to retain his place in the senior national side across all formats, will be bolstered by his record in Australia — 350 runs, including a hundred, at an average of over 50 in 4 Tests during the 2018-19 tour.
“I believe Rishabh has worked on his fitness issues during the past month and looked in good touch during the pink ball practice game. So I would agree with the team management if they give Rishabh a go for the next three Tests,”the former wicket-keeper batsman added.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, India, under Ajinkya Rahane, are all set to make as many as 4 changes to the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 after the 8-wicket drubbing in the series opener in Adelaide.
The former India opener Murali Vijay pulls out of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and will miss the entire domestic season. The Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 is scheduled to play from January 10, 2021.
Murali Vijay Pulls out of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
“He informed us that he would be skipping the upcoming season for personal reasons. He did not mention anything further,” a TNCA official told.
Murali Vijay will miss the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s because of personal reasons. L Suryapprakash will be his replacement. K Vignesh, who is Covid-19 positive, has been replaced by R S Jaganath Sinivas in the probable squad
Vijay last played for Tamil Nadu during their Ranji Trophy clash against Karnataka at Dindigul in 2019. Murali had featured in three matches for the Chennai Super Kings during the IPL-13.
Vijay was earlier named in the state probables for the domestic T20 competition.
“It is a very big blow for us ahead of the season because he is an experienced campaigner and brings solidity at the top. But his absence gives other players an opportunity to make an impact for the stateside,” said the official.
TNCA has included opener L Suryapprakash in place of Vijay.
Vignesh tests positive for Covid-19, out of domestic T20s
Medium-pacer K Vignesh tested positive for covid-19 and will not be part of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s.
Krishnamoorthy Vignesh
“He is the only player to have tested positive. All players and support staff are being tested once in three days. The quarantine restrictions mean that he will certainly miss the tournament,” said a TNCA official.
All-rounder RS Jagannath Srinivas has been named as Vignesh’s replacement.
Tamil Nadu’s practice matches canceled
The practice matches to be played among the TN probables at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have been cancelled.
“Once we got a positive Covid-19 result (K Vignesh), we decided to cancel the matches. We will commence the practice matches once the squad is announced on Monday,” said a source close to the development.
Tamil Nadu are part of the Elite B group in the tournament and play their matches in Kolkata. They will start their campaign against Jharkhand on January 10.
Updated Probables List for Tamil Nadu team
Dinesh Karthik (c), B Aparajith, B Indrajith, Vijay Shankar, M Shahrukh Khan, L Suryapprakash, C Hari Nishaanth, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, K.B Arun Karthik, Akshay V Srinivasan, N Jagadeesan, M Abhinav, Aswin Crist, M Mohammed, G Periyasamy, Sandeep Warrier, S Harish Kumar, R S Jaganath Srinivas, R Silambarasan, J Kousik, R Sonu Yadav, M Ashwin, L Sathiyannaarayanan, M.E Yazh Arun Mozhi, R Sai Kishore, M Siddharth.
After the loss in the 1st test match vs Australia, India likely to makes massive changes in the squad to seek a victory in the 2nd test match.
The inform Indian test squad faces its worst nightmare ever and scored the lowest total in Test cricket history. India scored only 36 runs in its second innings and lost the match by 8 wickets.
Changes in Team India for the 2nd Test match vs Australia
A BCCI source reveals the following changes would happen in the Team India squad for the 2nd test match against Australia.
KL Rahul to replace Prithvi Shaw in the opening slot
Shubman Gill to fill Virat Kohli‘s big boots at No. 4
Rishabh Pant will come in; wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will go out
Between Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini, Siraj has the edge when it comes to replacing the injured Mohammed Shami.
KL Rahul in for Prithvi Shaw
Opener Prithvi Shaw is likely to be replaced by KL Rahul. Shaw fails to provide the expected and much-needed opening partnership for India. Shaw returns Pavillion after scoring 0 and 4 runs in the 1st test match.
KL Rahul
This made the team India to seek the alternate opener which likely to fill by KL Rahul. Rahul who shows his peak form in IPL 2020 is expected to show his form in the boxing day test match. In Shaw’s absence, Mayank could open the batting with KL Rahul.
However, as former India batsman turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out, Rahul has had his share of poor performances in the last five-Test series that he has played in. In his last five series, Rahul’s averages read as
7.1 against South Africa
29 against England
18 against the West Indies at home
10.7 versus Australia (on India’s last tour in 2018-19)
and 25.4 versus the West Indies.
“In cricket, the form is everything, and he’s in form,”said the source.
Shubman Gill replaces Virat Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s No.4 position is likely to replace by Shubman Gill. Virat Kohli has been given paternity leave by BCCI by which he left Australia post the 1st Test match.
Having impressed everyone with knocks of 43 (off 58 balls) & 65 (off just 78 balls) in the second warm-up game in Sydney, Gill is set to make his Test debut in the absence of Kohli. Though he can open, Gill is set to bat at Kohli’s usual No 4.
Shubman Gill
Though it is a massive loss for team India, Virat Kohli’s absence plays as a huge opportunity for his replacement in the future test squad. Virat’s absence will definitely pose a great threat for team India’s batting side. Gill is expected to fill Virat’s boot in his absence and in need to fulfill the duties as Virat used to do.
Ravindra Jadeja in for Hanuma Vihari
The unimpressive Vihari, who managed just 16 and 8 in Adelaide, will make way for Jadeja. “This way, we get an all-rounder at No 6. We can then enjoy the luxury of five specialist bowlers – two spinners and three pacers,” said the source. It helps that Jadeja is a ‘gun fielder,’ and will help lift India’s fielding standards.
Rishabh Pant comes in for Saha
Saha was out to poor shots in both innings in Adelaide is likely to replace by Rishabh Pant. Pant had cracked an unbeaten hundred off just 73 balls in the second innings of India’s second warm-up game, which was played with the pink ball, against Australia ‘A’.
The young wicketkeeper wasn’t in good form in the IPL but had scored a hundred in the fourth and final Test in Sydney on India’s last tour to Australia. It helps that he’s a left-hander and can attack the ball, something which can make up for the ultra-conservative approach adopted by some of India’s top-order batsmen these days.
Shami’s place is likely to replaced by Siraj or Saini
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the rest of the Australian tour with a fractured arm. Shami was struck on the right arm, just under the elbow, by a rising Pat Cummins delivery on Saturday (December 19) evening in India’s shambolic second innings. He was immediately tended to by the Indian medical staff.
Shami is likely to be replaced by Siraj or Saini, though at the moment, Siraj, who took 3/83 in the first warm-up game, holds the edge. “The good thing is that both Siraj and Saini can generate good pace,” said the source.
BBL 2020 Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights: The 11th league match of BBL10 is set to play between Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers. Both the team lock their horns to register their 2nd victory of the tournament. The victory adds points to shift position in the BBL 2020 points table.
Match: Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers
Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Toss Details: Adelaide Strikers won the toss and opt to bowl
Playing XI
Adelaide Strikers
Philip Salt, Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey(w/c), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar.
Sydney Sixers
Josh Philippe(w), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes(c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Ben Manenti, Steve OKeefe.
BBL 2020 Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights
Sydney Sixers Batting
Philippe and Jack Edwards get into the crease to lead Sydney Sixers. Worrall opens the attack on behalf of Adelaide Strikers. Sydney Sixers keen to set a massive target which is a much-needed one to defense a team like Adelaide Strikers.
Sydney Sixers tries to make a steady opening innings which makes them to score only 8 runs off the first 2 overs. Worrall in his second over of the innings dismissed Philippe for 6 runs and scatters the dream of a massive opening partnership.
Jack Edwards then join hands with James Vince and lead Sydney Sixers. The duo lead Sydney Sixers to score 24 runs for 1 wicket loss at the end of the 5th over.
Worrall again loads pressure over Sydney Sixers by dismissing Jack Edwards in the 7th over while Sixers scored 30 runs. Sydney Sixers gets in pressure as they lose a couple of wickets while scoring just 30 runs at the end of the 7 over.
Daniel Hughes and James Vince get in pressure to make massive strikes which could settle Sixers over the respected target. But Rashid with his magical spell dismissed James Vince for 19 runs. Sydney Sixers scored 61 runs for 3 wickets loss at the end of the 12 overs.
Daniel Christian comes as a savior and scored 22 runs of the 13th over and boosts the runs on the Sydney Sixers scoreboard. The aggressive strikes come to an end when Christian scored a 15 ball half-century and dismissed of the very nest ball by Wes Agar.
The wonderful innings of the Christian add a massive run to Sixers as they scored 124 runs for 4 wickets loss at the end of the 15th over. Sixers loses a couple of wickets and scored 177 runs for 5 wickets loss at the end of the innings.
Adelaide Strikers Batting
Philip Salt and Weatherald get into the crease to lead Adelaide Strikers to chase down a target of 177 runs. Dwarshuis opens the attack on behalf of the Sydney Sixers.
Adelaide Strikers starts to make runs from the very first over and makes use of the 4th over bowled by Holder. They scored 18 runs off the single over and loads pressure over Sydney Sixers bowlers.
Sydney Sixers bowlers are in need to break the partnership in order to restrict the run flow. As expected Christian in the very next over dismissed Philip Salt for 28 runs and breaks the partnership. At the end of the 5 over Adelaide Strikers scored 54 runs for 1 wicket loss.
In the 6th over bowled by Ben Manent Weatheraldloses his wicket while scoring 27 runs. Adelaide Strikers struggles to make a partnership after their openers dismissal. In the 8th over Ben Manenti dismissed Renshaw while scoring 6 runs and loads pressure over Adelaide Strikers.
At the end of the 10th over Adelaide Striker scored 76 runs for 3 wickets loss. Adelaide Strikers loses Carey(9) and Short(3) in back to back overs. These two quick wickets make Adelaide Strikers scored 104 runs for 5 wickets loss at the end of the 15th over.
Adelaide Strikers struggles to face Sydney Sixers bowling unit and wind up the innings while scoring 139 runs. At the end of the innings, Sixers beat Strikers by 38 runs.
Watch Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights
The way the game started, Worrall bowled beautifully. We knew they had a good batting line up, but everyone was fantastic tonight. Spending time with the people who are playing, it’s good fun.
BBL 2020 Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Highlights: The 10th league match of BBL10 is set to play between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades. Hobart Hurricanes seek to win the match to claim the top position in BBL 2020 points table.
Match: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades
Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Toss Details: Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and opt to bowl
Playing XI
Hobart Hurricanes
D Arcy Short, Will Jacks, Ben McDermott(w), Peter Handscomb(c), Colin Ingram, Keemo Paul, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith.
Melbourne Renegades
Shaun Marsh(c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper(w), Rilee Rossouw, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Will Sutherland, Kane Richardson, Josh Lalor, Peter Hatzoglou, Noor Ahmad.
BBL 2020 Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Highlights
Melbourne Renegades Batting
Shaun Marsh and Fraser-McGurk get into the crease to lead Melbourne Renegades. Faulkner opens the attack on behalf of Hobart Hurricanes. Faulkner in the third delivery of the over dismissed Shaun Marsh for 1 run.
Boland in the followed over dismissed Fraser-McGurk and register his maiden BBL wicket. These two early wickets load pressure over Melbourne Renegades. Sam Harper and Rilee Rossouw join hands and in pressure to build a massive partnership.
Though Hobart Hurricanes makes a strict bowling attack, Melbourne Renegades manages to score 69 runs for 2 wickets loss at the end of the 10th over.
At the end of the 12th over with a boundary, Rossouw registers his fifty. The duo added a massive 100 run partnership which boosts Melbourne Renegades score to 107 runs for 2 wickets loss at the end of the 13th over.
Nathan Ellis in the 15th over breaks the partnership by dismissing Rossouw for 59 runs. While Melbourne Renegades scores 114 runs for 3 wickets loss.
Sam Harper with his unbeaten 66 runs drags Melbourne Renegades to score 157 runs for 5 wickets loss.
Hobart Hurricanes Batting
D Arcy Short and Will Jacks get into the crease to lead Hobart Hurricanes to chase down a target of 157 runs. Lalor opens the attack on behalf of Melbourne Renegades. Hobart Hurricanes is in need to build a decent opening partnership inorder to chase the target.
Lalor in the third delivery of the first over dismissed D Arcy Short for 1 run and loads pressure over the Hobart Hurricanes. Though Hobart Hurricanes lose wickets in the regular interval they maintain the required run rate as needed.
Will Jacks in the 4th over loses his wicket via run-out while making a quick single. Ben McDermott and Peter Handscomb join hands and lead Hobart Hurricanes. The duo join hands and makes a 33 run partnership by which the score kicks to 58 runs at the end of the 8th over.
Noor Ahmad breaks the partnership by dismissing Handscomb for 13 runs. Ben McDermott join hands with Colin Ingram and leads Hobart Hurricanes. Melbourne Renegades bowlers struggle to make quick wickets.
At the end of the 10th over Hobart Hurricanes scored 73 runs for 3 wickets loss. McDermott with a six of the 11th over bags his half-century. While the partnership crossed 50 runs K Richardson dismissed Ingram and breaks the partnership.
Tim David and Ben McDermott join hands and with their unbeaten partnership leads Hobart Hurricanes to win the match by 6 wickets.
Watch Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Highlights
Australia vs India 1st Test: Australia is set to play the 1st test of the 4 match series against Australia in Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. India toured Australia to play 3 ODI, 3 T20I, and 4 Test match series.
Earlier India lost the ODI trophy to Australia and lifts the T20I trophy. Two teams lock their horns to play the much-awaited test series. In the previous tour, India beat Australia and lifts the test series trophy in absence of Steve Smith and David Warner.
Once again the two teams lock their horns to prove their worth in the longest format of the game. In the current test match, India will miss the service of Rohit Sharma owing to a hamstring injury.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli also granted paternity leave by BCCI and will leave Australia post the 1st test match.
Match: AUS vs IND, 1st Test
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Toss: India won the toss and opt to bat.
Australia vs India 1st Test Highlights(D/N)
Day 1
India Batting
Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal get into the crease to lead India. Australia’s Starc opens the bowling attack. Starc in the second ball of the innings dismissed Shaw and makes a huge blow for India.
Prithvi Shaw gone for 🦆 on just second ball of the 1st test.
Early wickets will cost a lot in the long format games. According to that India will suffer a lot later. Cheteshwar Pujara gets into join hands with Mayank Agarwal and team India expects a descent partnership from the duo.
While India start to score in steady Cummins dismissed Agarwal for 17 runs. Mayank’s wicket boosts the Australian bowlers’ confidence as they dismissed Indian openers before the 1st break of the innings.
Skipper Virat Kohli joins hands with Pujara and gets in pressure to build a massive partnership. With a steady inning, the duo leads India to score 41 runs for 2 wicket loss before the dinner break of the 1st day.
Dinner Break
Post the dinner break Virat Kohli and Pujara continue the batting. The test expert Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli starts a steady innings and drags India to cross 50 runs in total.
The duo makes the much-needed partnership and Aussies struggles to break the partnership. Kohli injured his thumb while facing the 43rd over from Starc. The injury literally starts to bleed luckily for Kohli the ball fell well wide of the man at short mid-wicket to his right.
Virat Kohli hurts his thumb finger while defending starc 😑
Starc starts to tease Virat Kohli with back to back bouncers. Virat for his counterpart remains calm and focused in his batting. The long stand of Pujara comes to an end while scoring 43 runs from 160 deliveries.
Lyon makes the massive wickets for Australia by dismissing Pujara. Pujara loses his wicket while India scored 100 runs for 3 wicket loss. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane joins hands with skipper Kohli and expected to make a massive partnership which could strengthen the middle-order players’ mindset.
After Pujara’s wicket Kohli and Rahane play a slow inning inorder to save the wicket. The duo only gathered only 7 runs post his wicket. Tea break comes into effect at the end of the 55th over.
Tea Break
At this stage, India scored 107 runs for 3 wickets loss where Kohli and Rahane scored 39 and 2 runs respectively. Indian skipper Virat Kohli reached his half-century with controlled gameplay. Pressure starts to build over Aussies’ bowlers after Virat Kohli reached his half-century.
The duo poses a threat to Australia as their partnership crossed 78 when India scored 178 runs for 3 wickets at the end of the 75th over.
While the innings have been in the perfect way Virat Kohli loses his wicket in an unwanted runout. Bad call from Rahane, as a result, Kohli departures after scoring 74 runs. Hanuma Vihari gets in to join hands with Rahane.
Soon after Virat Kohli’s dismissal, Starc dismissed Rahane and sent backs to Pavillion while scoring 42 runs. Indian wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha gets into the crease and join hands with Vihari.
This duo too soon faces trouble when Hazlewood dismissed Vihari for 16 runs. Vihari scatters the expectations of scoring massive runs where India scored 207 runs for 6 wicket loss.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Saha lead the strike and need to set a decent first 1st innings against a team like Australia.
Day 1 Stumps
India scored 233 runs for 6 wickets loss. Where Ashwin and Saha remain in the crease after scoring 15 and 9 runs respectively.
Watch Aus vs Ind Day 1 Highlights
Day 2
India Batting
India’s lower-order batsmen are in pressure to drag India towards a total of 300. While a lot to happen Ashwin loses his wicket off the third delivery of day 2 innings. Starc in the followed over dismissed Saha for 9 runs. India’s dream of scoring 300 gets in doubt after Saha’s dismissal.
Can India reach 300 in total only with their bowlers unit?
India’s lower-order batsmen should execute a dramatic inning inorder to reach a total of 300 runs. Pressure builds over Bumrah and Yadav. Indian lower order strikers had never given a chance to face the aggressive Australian bowlers.
Starc dismissed Yadav for 6 runs. In the followed over Cummins dismissed Shami and puts an end to India’s first innings. Team India scored 244 runs at the end of the 1st innings.
Australia Batting
Matthew Wade and Joe Burns get into the crease to lead Australia. Umesh Yadav opens the attack against Australia. Australian openers struggle to make runs as they finished the first 4 over as maiden.
It may be a strategy from the Australian side. Australia feels the importance of David Warner who ruled out of 1st test owing to a groin injury. Indian bowlers need to pick early wickets as the Aussies did in the first innings.
The Australian openers play in a controlled form to avoid the loss of early wickets. Bumrah did the much-needed thing for India by dismissing Wade for 8 runs. The long stand of Wade comes to an end. India made their maiden test wicket while Australia scored 16 runs.
Marnus Labuschagne gets into the crease and poses a threat over Indian bowlers by hitting 4 boundaries. Soon in the 17th over Bumrah again with his spell dismissed Joe Burns for 8 runs.
The much-awaited dangerous batsman Steve Smith enters the yard. Smith who holds the No.1 rank in the ICC Test batsman ranking list is capable of dragging the match towards their side.
India needs to break this dangerous partnership before they add a massive run to the team score. Before the dinner break, Australia scored 35 runs for 2 wicket loss.
Dinner Break
Shami opens the attack after the dinner break. Smith holds his bat for too long and seeks perfect timing to start his aggressive striking. The man who pose threat to the Indian bowling team finally dismissed by Ashwin in his very first over.
Ashwin makes the necessary breakthrough. The dangerous Smith walks to Pavillion after scoring 1 run. Travis Head gets in to join hands with Marnus Labuschagne. Though Smith walks off still Labuschagne poses threat over Indian bowlers.
Indian bowlers struggle to dismiss Labuschagne but they prevent him to make a partnership with other strikers. Ashwin with his spell dismissed Head for 7 runs in the 35th over.
Though Umesh Yadav fails to pick wickets he puts pressure over the batsmen with his impressive bowling economy. Ashwin in addition to this dismissed Green and restrict Marnus Labuschagne to build a partnership.
Tim Paine then join hands with Labuschagne and expects to make a partnership. While Indian bowlers put all their efforts to dismiss Labuschagne who poses a great threat for their side.
Tea Break
Skipper Tim Paine and Labuschagne leads Australia to score 92 runs for 5 wickets loss at this stage. Post the tea break, Umesh Yadav with his perfect spell at the perfect time makes a couple of wickets in the 54th over.
The much-awaited reward for Yadav’s tight bowling. Umesh dismissed Labuschagne and Cummins in the same over and loads pressure over Australia’s batting side. The dangerous batsman walks to Pavillion after scoring 47 runs.
The much-needed breakthrough for India. Still, the skipper is on strike and Starc joins the hands with skipper Tim Paine and leads Australia.
In the 61st over bowled by Ashwin Starc got dismissed by an unwanted run-out while scoring 15 runs. Australia scored 143 runs for 8 wicket loss at the end of the 61st over.
The pressure loads over Tim as he is the only batsman along with the bowlers’ unit. Ashwin again with his spell dismissed Lyon for 10 runs. Hazlewood for his contribution added 8 runs and dismissed in Umesh Yadav’s short delivery.
Tim Paine remains unbeaten after scoring 73 runs. Australia scored 191 runs for all 10 wickets.
India Batting(2nd innings)
This is the first time in eight day-night Tests Australia have failed to secure a first innings lead. Prithvi Shaw and Agarwal get in the crease to lead India. Starc opens the attack on behalf of Australia.
Prithvi Shaw again fails to show his worth as he dismissed by Cummins while scoring 4 runs. In order to balance day 2, Bumrah gets into the crease.
Day 2 Stumps
India ends day 2 after scoring 9 runs for 1 wicket loss. Where Mayank and Bumrah scored 5 and 0 runs respectively.
Watch Day 2 Aus vs Ind Highlights
Day 3
India Batting
Day 3 of the 1st test set as the worst nightmare for India as the guest start to lose back to back wickets without scoring even a double-digit run. Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shows their peak form in the 2nd innings as India scored only 36 runs in the 2nd innings while losing 9 wickets.
Hazlewood and Pat Cummins picked 5 and 4 wickets respectively under their names and restrict India to score further. In the 22nd over bowled by Cummins Shami faces an injury due to which he walks off and India’s innings just get over.
Australia Batting(2nd innings)
Wade and Burns get into the crease to lead Australia in the second innings. Wade starts the innings with a boundary of the second delivery. Australian openers played the innings without any pressure.
Dinner Break
In the pre-session of the dinner break, Australia scored 15 runs for no wicket loss and in need of 75 runs to win the match. Australia keen to win the first match of the 4 test series in the third day of the match.
The duo continued to add runs with a steady strike rate. Though India has a winning percentage of nearly zero they still have a chance if they make back to back quick wickets as the Aussies did.
But the Australian team post a strong opening partnership and the duo surpassed 50 runs without losing any wickets. Wade in the 18th over loses his wicket via run-out. Ashwin in the followed over dismissed Labuschagne for 6 runs.
India picks their wickets after the Aussies placed themself in a good position. In the following over with a six Burns bags the victory for Australia.
Watch Day 3 AUS vs IND Highlights
Highlights
This is the first time in 26 Tests India have lost when Virat Kohli had won the toss
This is the 35th time India lost the first Test of a series (2+ Tests) outside Asia – they ended up losing the series in 31 of those with three ending in a draw
Captains View
Paine | Australia captain and Player of the Match
(Can you believe it?) No, not really. Said in the media both these attacks have the ability to take quick wickets. Didn’t expect it to come that quick. Was expecting a real dogfight. To hang in, give our bowlers a chance, and then turn up and start the day the way we did.
Full credit to our bowling attack again. Nice to get off to a good start. Chuffed with the way we bowled in this Test. Still, a bit of work to do with our batting. Burns is a really important part of our team. All cricketers know how hard it is to come out of a rut like that.
Kohli | India captain
It’s very hard to put those feeling into words. We had a lead of 60-odd when we arrived. And then just collapsed. Played two days of good cricket to get in a position and then just lose it in an hour. Really hurts. Probably didn’t have enough intent in the batting today.
It’s something that needs to be reflected and learned from. Bowlers bowled similar kinds of areas in the first innings as well, but then our mindset was to get runs. There were some good balls. But I don’t think it did anything drastic.
Just the atmosphere was created where runs were difficult to come by. I think it was a combination of both – lack of intent, and bowlers bowling in good areas. Obviously, you want to be committed to the team’s cause.
Confidence the boys going forward will reflect on this and come up with a better result on Boxing Day. No news on Shami, he’s going for a scan now. Was in a lot of pain, couldn’t even lift his arm. We’ll probably know in the evening what happens.
ICC releases the schedule for the 2022 Women’s cricket World Cup on 15 December 2020. 2022 cricket women’s WC is set to host by New Zealand across six cities.
Highlights
Hosted in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April 2022
Eight of the world’s best cricket nations will go head-to-head in six host cities across Aotearoa: Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
An opening match at Tauranga’s Bay Oval and a final under lights at Hagley Oval are two of the highlights of a 31-match schedule announced today for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.
New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, and India have qualified for the World Cup. The three remaining teams will emerge from the ICC qualifying tournament which is confirmed to take place 26 June – 10 July 2021 in Sri Lanka.
Domestic cricket in South Africa was put on hold on Thursday after as many as 10 Cricketers of their 16-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka were exposed to COVID19 during first-class matches this week.
South Africa Test cricketers suffers COVID19 positive
With South Africa officially entering the second wave of coronavirus, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that domestic matches would be halted until next month.
Three four-day matches were due to start on Sunday. Five squad members were in a match between the Dolphins and Titans which was abandoned after one day on Monday when a Dolphins player tested positive.
Another five-Test squad members played in a match between the Eagles and Lions which was completed on Wednesday despite a Lions player testing positive on the third day of the game.
Players who were not affected
The only Test squad players who either did not play last weekend or who played in a third match not affected by Covid-19 are captain Quinton de Kock, former captain Faf du Plessis, batsmen Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, and fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Glenton Stuurman.
de kock
South Afriva vs Sri Lanka
South Africa’s home Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts in Centurion on December 26, is due to go ahead as planned but all members of the squad will need to be tested before entering a bio-secure bubble.
Victor Mpitsang, a convener of selectors, said the Test squad was due to assemble on Saturday. “All the players will be tested before going into the bubble,” he said. Mpitsang said it was possible some players might have to delay joining the rest of the squad depending on medical advice.
Graeme Smith on domestic match postponement
CSA Director of cricket Graeme Smith said the decision to postpone the domestic matches was taken in the interest of the health of players, support staff, and stadium workers.
Graeme Smith
“CSA is committed to mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the 2020/21 season, with the upcoming two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka being played in a bio-secure environment, which is a more controlled space than the domestic competition,” said Smith. Domestic players will be given an extended break until the start of a domestic one-day competition, which is due to start on January 8.
