After the first qualifier ended in Dubai on Sunday, players from the Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings caught up with their mates from the opposing side.
Virat Kohli came into the Centurion Test with only one proper net session on Christmas eve but India batting coach Vikram Rathour categorical said that at this stage of his career, the former captain doesn't need to train a lot.
With 682 Test scalps against his name, the England legend is now third on the all-time list for Test wickets behind spin duo Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).
Seamers Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell wreaked early havoc to set the platform for an easy South African victory in the third and final one-day International against England at Lords' on Monday.
He joins injured fast bowler Kagiso Rabada on the sidelines.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada tried to disturb Cheteshwar Pujara's concentration on the opening day of the second Test in Pune.
Having made it to the IPL for the first time ever, Delhi Capitals are up against the rampaging Mumbai Indians, who have already beaten them thrice this season and are looking all set for their fifth IPL title.
India opener Shubman Gill's reign at the top of the ODI batters' list was short-lived as he was replaced by former Pakistani skipper Babar Azam in the ICC Player Rankings issued on Wednesday.
Kalra was banned from Ranji Trophy as well as U-23 tournaments on a complaint filed by former Delhi captain Kirti Azad's faction, alleging that the left-handed opener has fudged his age since the U-16 level.
Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers put on a power-hitting masterclass as Lucknow Super Giants slayed Punjab Kings by 56 runs in a high-scoring contest in Mohali .
Pakistan needs to win all its matches and expect Australia to falter in at least two of their remaining four games.
Rohit Sharma jumped five places to sixth in the ICC ODI ranking for batters.
Vaibhav Arora was troubling us in nets, that's why he got debut, reveals PBKS batter Shikhar Dhawan
Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant credited his bowling unit, especially experienced leg-spinner Amit Mishra, for his side's six-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians in a low-scoring IPL match, in Chennai, on Tuesday.
Flavour of the season Rahul Tewatia didn't prove to be third time lucky in what turned out to be an incredible death overs performance by the Delhi Capitals pace attack in their 13-run victory against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL match, in Dubai, on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the Day 2 of the first Test between South Africa and India, at Centurion, on Wednesday.
South Africa are fired up to perform in the dead-rubber fourth Test against England and will 'play hard' as they try to salvage battered pride, young Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada said on Tuesday. England have wrapped up the series as they take an unassailable 2-0 lead into the final Test starting in Pretoria on Friday, but the 20-year-old Rabada said the match was an opportunity for South Africa to rebuild. "There is another game to play and we have to look to the future," he told reporters. "We are trying to stay positive, there is another match and we are going to rock up and play hard. We are not going to throw in the towel, it's unlike us to do that."
It will be a battle between Liam Livingstone and Lockie Ferguson.
Bolstered by the arrival of Ben Stokes, Rajasthan Royals will hope for a better showing from its misfiring top order as they try to settle scores against second-placed Delhi Capitals in their return leg IPL match, in Dubai, on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.
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Images from the IPL 2022 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings at Mumbai
'The wicket did not seem to get slower, visually it looked a really good wicket, Warner and Bairstow played the conditions really well, they ran the twos really well. I think the wicket got slightly better in the second innings, which is disappointing for us. We wanted to chase, we felt there will be dew, but no excuses from us, we were just outplayed.'
Chris Morris, the most expensive buy in IPL history, showed why all the franchises were so desperate for his services with a match-turning performance with the bat to lift Rajasthan Royals to victory over Delhi Capitals.
Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in the tournament opener on Saturday.
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A resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look for their fourth consecutive victory when they face an unpredictable Punjab Kings as the two sides fight for survival in the Indian Premier League, in Dharamsala on Thursday.
Despite dropping six points in the ICC Test rankings, R Ashwin remained on top of the points table, along with James Anderson.
He is an acclaimed T20 freelancer but white ball commitments for England is still a priority for Liam Livingstone, one of the world's most destructive batters in the shortest format.
Mumbai Indians, who are placed sixth in the points table, have been able to bounce back impressively with wins against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With 9 runs needed off 6 balls, Dhruv Jurel played an important role in sealing the victory with a sensational six. The youngster showed composure and skill under pressure, emerging as a valuable asset for the team.
Punjab Kings would be sweating over skipper Shikhar Dhawan's injury at a time when they need all their firepower against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Stokes is also among the Test Cricket of the Year nominees alongside compatriot Jonny Bairstow, Australia opener Usman Khawaja and South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada.
The absence of two frontline bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, and copious amount of dew at the Chepauk Stadium hurt Chennai Super Kings in their seven-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings on Wednesday, reckoned skipper Ruturaj Gaikward.
Images from Day 3 of the second Test between South Africa and India, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said the pitch for the third Test between India and South Africa was unfair on the batsmen and called for ICC's intervention into the matter.
For the golden generation of Indian cricketers, this is their last chance to conquest what no other team could on eight previous tours.
Dean Elgar lived up to his reputation as a dogged, street-fighting batsman as he held the Indian bowling attack at bay, scoring a patient 46 off 121 balls.
Delhi Capitals are likely to have a much leaner coaching staff next season with head coach Ricky Ponting's future set to be examined at the end of the season.
